China launches countermeasures against former Japan defence official

China announced countermeasures against the former chief of staff of Japan's Self-Defense Forces on Monday as tensions between the neighbouring countries simmer after remarks about Taiwan by Japan's prime minister angered Beijing.

The countermeasures were imposed on grounds that Shigeru Iwasaki violated the one-China principle and the spirit of political consensus between China and Japan, according to the Chinese foreign ministry, which said Iwasaki "seriously interfered" in China's internal affairs.

The countermeasures include visa restrictions, freezing Iwasaki's properties, and prohibiting any transactions or cooperation with him, the ministry said.