China Sanctions Japanese Lawmaker for Declaring Taiwan an Independent State

Beijing imposes travel bans and asset freezes on Japanese senator Hei Seki, escalating diplomatic tensions with Tokyo over Taiwan.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 7, 2026|Taipei / Beijing / Tokyo

China has imposed sanctions on Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki following remarks he made in Taiwan asserting that the island operates as an independent state, a statement that sharply contradicts Beijing’s long-standing position on Taiwanese sovereignty.

Seki, a member of Japan’s House of Councillors, arrived at Taipei Songshan Airport on January 6, 2025. Upon arrival, he stated that his visit itself demonstrated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is independent. His comments drew immediate condemnation from Beijing, which considers Taiwan an inseparable part of China under its “One China” policy.

Chinese authorities announced in September 2025 that Seki would be sanctioned for what they described as persistent anti-China positions. The measures include banning him from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as freezing any assets he may hold under Chinese jurisdiction. Officials also cited his public support for Taiwan and previous visits to Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine as contributing factors.

Seki was born in China and later studied at Peking University before becoming a naturalized Japanese citizen in 2007. He was elected to Japan’s upper house last year as a candidate for the Japan Innovation Party, which is known for taking assertive stances on national security and regional policy.

In response to the sanctions, Japanese officials lodged a formal protest with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging Beijing to reverse the decision. Tokyo characterized the sanctions as a unilateral and unacceptable action against an elected Japanese legislator. Beijing rejected the criticism, dismissing Japan’s protest as unworthy of comment.

Seki’s visit to Taiwan was organized by the Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank and includes meetings with Taiwanese lawmakers and government officials. The trip has further highlighted the growing strain in relations between China and Japan, particularly as tensions over Taiwan continue to intensify across the Asia-Pacific region.

The incident underscores Taiwan’s central role in regional geopolitics, where disputes over sovereignty and security increasingly shape diplomatic relations between major Asian powers.

Sources

• Statements from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Statements from Japanese government officials

• Regional and international media reporting