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Shigehiro Nishiumi assumes post at Japan's Chongqing mission after eight month vacancy

evening · · thread: Tensions Escalate Between China and Philippines Over Disputed South China Sea Features

2 sources across 2 countries · Hong Kong · Japan

Who reported this

  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group
  • Kyodo News Japan · Centre · Non-profit publisher cooperative

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
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Shigehiro Nishiumi assumed his post at the Japanese diplomatic mission in Chongqing on August 4. Nishiumi, a former deputy consul general in Hong Kong, fills a vacancy that has existed since December 5, when the previous head, Mari Takada, transferred to lead the consulate general in Shenyang. The vacancy occurred amid a bilateral row following parliamentary remarks by Sanae Takaichi last November regarding Taiwan.

There is a discrepancy between reports regarding the status of the appointment. A center leaning source reports that Nishiumi is serving as acting consul general because Beijing has not yet given consent for his full appointment. Conversely, a center right leaning source reports that China has approved the envoy. The Japanese government source cited by Kyodo News stated that Japan will continue seeking China's approval for the appointment, though they noted that the acting title has not affected office services.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated in January that Beijing was handling the matter in accordance with procedures. The Japanese consulate in Chongqing has not yet published details of the appointment on its website.

How each side framed it

Centre
This source frames the event as a continuing diplomatic stalemate where the envoy is only serving in an acting capacity due to a lack of Chinese consent.
Centre-right
This source frames the event as a resolution to the vacancy, stating that China has approved the envoy.

Sources

100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.