The recent flare-up of tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan has highlighted the lack of Japanese government officials and ruling party lawmakers with deep connections to China.
Komeito, which claims to have served as a bridge between the two nations, has left the coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
In addition, influential politicians, including former LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, who long led lawmakers' efforts on the diplomatic front, have retired, and the Japanese political world now lacks successors to promote Japan-China ties as a result.
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