Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook Claims “Liancourt Rocks Are Japanese Territory”... Description of China Downgraded for First Time in 10 Years

Tokyo – Correspondent Seo Hye-jin of The Financial News – In the Diplomatic Bluebook 2026 released on the 9th, Japan once again repeated its baseless claim that “Liancourt Rocks are Japan’s inherent territory in light of historical facts and under international law.”
Motegi Toshimitsu, the Japanese Foreign Minister, presented the contents of the “Diplomatic Bluebook 2026” at a Cabinet meeting held the same day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan publishes the Diplomatic Bluebook, an annual white paper that records recent international developments and Japan’s diplomatic activities, every April.
At the same time, the Japanese government kept its description of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) as “an important neighboring country with which Japan should cooperate as a partner” in this year’s Diplomatic Bluebook. It also added that “the importance of Japan–South Korea relations is further increasing.”
By contrast, Japan downgraded its description of China’s importance, amid heightened confrontation following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about possible involvement in a Taiwan contingency.
In the latest Diplomatic Bluebook, Japan referred to China simply as “an important neighboring country.” This marks a clear step back from the wording used for 10 consecutive years from 2016 to 2025, when China was described as “one of the most important bilateral relationships.”
The Bluebook also listed issues such as tighter export controls on dual-use items to Japan and incidents in which Chinese military aircraft locked their radar on Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) aircraft. It criticized China, stating that “since November last year, China has been intensifying its unilateral criticism and coercive measures against Japan, including over debates in Japan’s National Diet.”
However, regarding areas of shared interest between the two countries, the document explicitly called for the promotion of a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests” and stated that Japan “remains open to dialogue.”
On the United States, the Bluebook summed up that, following the announcement of reciprocal tariffs, “it was a year that had a major impact on the economic relationship between Japan and the United States.”
On the current international situation, the Bluebook noted that “the free and open international order is being greatly shaken.” It characterized the present as “a period of major historical transformation” and expressed the view that “the relatively stable era known as the post-Cold War period has already come to an end.”
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, it stated that “Iran’s development of nuclear weapons can never be tolerated,” condemning Iran’s actions such as attacks on civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Bluebook also said that Japan “will continue to make every necessary diplomatic effort, in coordination with the international community, to bring about an early de-escalation of the situation.” However, it refrained from evaluating the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.




sjmary@fnnews.com Seo Hye-jin Reporter