U.S. President Donald Trump asked Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takiachi to avoid further escalation of a dispute with China during talks this week, sources with knowledge of the matter said, as he aims to keep a fragile trade war truce with Beijing.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says she has spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump right after he spoke with China, which was angered by her recent comments about Taiwan.

CHINA’S recent warning to travellers to avoid Japan and for students already there to exercise caution is unacceptable, a Japanese government spokesperson said after Beijing ratcheted up its response

Tensions developed after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that if China fought to take Taiwan, it could amount to a 'survival-threatening situation” for Japan.

China is trying to impose economic costs on Japan for wading into the issue of Taiwan. But experts say the escalating dispute could ultimately hurt China too.

Japan and China recently agreed to cooperate more economically. Now, climbing tensions are threatening that cooperation.

Beijing and Paris should 'firmly support each other on issues involving each other’s core interests,” Wang said, according to a statement.

Charming Donald Trump one week, angering China the next, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has had a busy start and is riding high in the polls, all on a few hours of sleep a night.

China responds after Japanese newspaper reports that Tokyo views China’s first electromagnetic catapult-equipped carrier as priority target in event of attack on Taiwan - Anadolu Ajansı