Facing reprisals from Beijing for a remark over Taiwan, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must walk a fine line to prevent escalating the dispute without looking weak at home.

China has warned its citizens against traveling to Japan as it escalates a backlash over comments by the country’s prime minister about the island of Taiwan.

Beijing's latest response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments is adding to uncertainty for businesses caught in the middle.

By Liz Lee and Tim Kelly BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) -Chinese diplomats airing hawkish views, known as "wolf warriors", have returned to the global stage, drumming up criticism of Japan's prime minister in countries that suffered from its military actions during World War Two.

Weeks into the job, Japan’s new leader has come face-to-face with what it means to cross China’s red line on Taiwan.

Tension between Japan and China has escalated over the new Japanese leader's suggestion Tokyo could intervene militarily if Beijing attacks Taiwan.

Relations between the two neighbours have soured recently after Takaichi became the first sitting Japanese leader in decades to publicly link a Taiwan Strait crisis with the possible deployment of Japanese troops.

Withdrawal follows PM Takaichi’s Taiwan comments, prompting Beijing to issue warnings and cancel exchange events.