China approves Japanese envoy in Chongqing, ending 8-month vacancy

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China-Japan relationsChinaDiplomacyChina approves Japanese envoy in Chongqing, ending 8-month vacancyShigehiro Nishiumi fills post at consulate in southwestern megacity left open amid diplomatic row over Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments2-MIN READ2-MIN6 Alyssa ChenPublished: 7:18pm, 12 Aug 2026Updated: 9:54pm, 12 Aug 2026China has approved a new Japanese acting consul general in Chongqing, ending an eight-month vacancy at the mission following a bilateral freeze.Shigehiro Nishiumi, who previously served as Japan’s deputy consul general in Hong Kong, assumed the post at the diplomatic mission in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing on August 4, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported, citing an unnamed government source.The Chongqing post had remained unoccupied since December 5, when former head of mission Mari Takada was transferred to lead the consulate in Shenyang in the northeast.

Japanese media reported as early as January that Chinese authorities had stalled the approval of Tokyo’s request to send Takada’s successor.When asked about the vacancy in January, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that Beijing was handling the matter “in accordance with procedures”.The website of the Japanese consulate in Chongqing has not yet published any details about Nishiumi’s appointment.

The South China Morning Post has contacted the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for .

01:06Japan finds rare earths in deep-sea mud off remote islandThe long approval process mirrored the deteriorating ties between Asia’s two largest economies since November, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told her country’s parliament that a People’s Liberation Army attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response.

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