Xi Jinping mourns former Japanese PM Yasuo Fukuda and urges Japan's current leaders to 'safeguard the political foundation' of ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent condolences on Tuesday 27 October to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and called on Japan’s current leaders to “safeguard the political foundation” of relations between the two countries, Reuters reported, citing the state news agency Xinhua.

Fukuda died on Thursday 22 October of heart failure at the age of 90. During his time as prime minister in 2007-2008 he sought closer ties with Asian neighbours, particularly China.

In his message, Xi called Fukuda “a Japanese politician of integrity and responsibility” and “an old friend of the Chinese people” who “upheld a correct view of history”. Xi said he hoped “Japan’s current leaders” would “cherish the hard work and efforts made by the older generation of politicians, abide by the four political documents between China and Japan, and earnestly safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations”. He said China would remember Fukuda’s contribution to relations between the two countries.

Reuters described the comments as a rare direct reference by Xi to the relationship since it deteriorated late last year.

Background

Relations worsened after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November 2025 that Japan could deploy its military if a Chinese move against Taiwan also threatened Japan. Beijing called the remarks “egregious” and demanded she retract them. China has since advised its citizens against travel to Japan and banned exports to Japan of items with possible military use, including some rare earths, Reuters reported.

The United States is Japan’s treaty ally. The South China Morning Post reported this week that US and Japanese forces were rehearsing coordinated strike tactics in waters near Taiwan.