Japan is entering a dangerous political moment — one that risks unraveling decades of regional stability, undermining the legacy of the post-World War II settlement, and pulling East Asia into a new era of confrontation. What is unfolding is not an incremental policy shift but a strategic break with the cautious approach Japan has maintained since 1945. And as Tokyo repositions itself, Beijing is signaling, unmistakably, that it will not tolerate this transformation lightly.

Senior officials from Japan and China held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, Japanese government sources confirmed, as diplomatic tensions escalate following recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.

Voters in Ivory Coast are heading to the polls Saturday to cast their ballots in the presidential election amid heightened political tension.