China approves Japanese envoy in Chongqing, ending 8-month vacancy

China has approved the appointment of Shigehiro Nishiumi as Japan's new acting consul general in Chongqing, filling a diplomatic post that had been vacant for eight months. The move comes after a period of strained relations between the two Asian economic powerhouses.

Nishiumi, who previously served as Japan's deputy consul general in Hong Kong, took up his new role on August 4. The Chongqing mission had been without a head since December 5, when the former head, Mari Takada, was reassigned to lead the consulate in Shenyang.

Japanese media reported in January that Chinese authorities had delayed approving Tokyo's request for Takada's successor. At the time, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that Beijing was handling the matter "in accordance with procedures." The prolonged approval process has been seen as mirroring the broader cooling of ties between China and Japan, particularly since November when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi commented on the potential threat a Chinese military action against Taiwan could pose to Japan's security.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been contacted for comment, and details of Nishiumi's appointment have not yet been published on the Japanese consulate's website in Chongqing.

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in accordance with procedures