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China has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, following a diplomatic feud sparked by remarks from Tokyo’s new premier about a hypothetical attack on Taiwan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on November 7 that use of force against the self-ruled island claimed by China could warrant a military response from Tokyo. On Friday, Beijing said that it had summoned Japan’s ambassador, while Tokyo said it had summoned China’s ambassador after an “inappropriate” and now-removed online post. Tokyo has since said its position on Taiwan, just 100km from the nearest Japanese island, is unchanged. In an online post late Friday, China’s embassy in Japan warned its citizens against travelling to the country. “Recently, Japanese leaders have made blatantly provocative remarks regarding Taiwan, severely damaging the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges,” the WeChat post said. The situation presents “significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan”, it added. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan solemnly remind Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan in the near future.” **media[382304]** Reacting to the statement, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters Saturday that Beijing’s call was “inconsistent with the promotion of a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship”, Jiji Press reported. The Japanese government has requested the Chinese side to take “appropriate measures”, Jiji reported. In a further development Saturday, China’s largest airlines offered full refunds for flights on Japan routes before the end of the year. Air China, China Southern and China Eastern all published separate statements on the policies, which will allow ticket holders to refund or change Japan itineraries free of charge for flights from Saturday through December 31. Beijing insists Taiwan, which Japan occupied for decades until 1945, is part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to seize control. China and Japan are key trading partners, but historical mistrust and friction over territorial rivalries and military spending often test those ties. Takaichi, a conservative and China hawk, has toned down her rhetoric since assuming office last month. But just weeks into her administration, the neighbours are at odds. Addressing parliament on November 7, Takaichi said that an armed attack on Taiwan could warrant sending troops to the island under “collective self-defence”. If an emergency in Taiwan entails “battleships and the use of force, then that could constitute a situation threatening the survival (of Japan), any way you slice it”, she said. Security legislation passed in 2015 allows Japan to exercise the right to “collective self-defence” under certain conditions including if there was a clear danger to the country’s survival. **media[382305]** Despite the escalating diplomatic spat, Takaichi has indicated she has no intention of retracting her statement and insisted it was consistent with Tokyo’s long-standing policy. But she said she would refrain from referring to specific scenarios in the future. Previous Japanese prime ministers have avoided commenting directly on Taiwan’s defence, choosing instead to maintain so-called strategic ambiguity. The United States has also long been deliberately ambiguous on whether it would deploy its military to defend Taiwan. The most recent row escalated last weekend when the Chinese consul general in Osaka, Xue Jian, posted about “(cutting) off that dirty neck”, apparently referring to Takaichi. Japan lodged a protest over the since-removed social media post, and Takaichi’s ruling party passed a resolution calling for the envoy to be declared persona non grata. Before taking power, Takaichi, an acolyte of ex-premier Shinzo Abe, was a vocal critic of China and its military build-up in the Asia-Pacific. Takaichi has visited Taiwan in the past and met Taipei’s representative at a recent Apec summit, where she also held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The beauty of sport is its ability to surprise and Isaac Nader produced one of the biggest ever in international 1,500 metres finals as he won the world title Wednesday while Katie Moon was a more predictable winner of a third successive pole vault crown.Portugal had never had a medallist in the 1,500m but Nader's storming run in the home straight was enough for the 24-year-old to deny Jake Wightman of Britain a second title. "Some people criticised me and said I would never achieve this but here I am – world champion and the first Portuguese athlete to win a global gold in the 1,500m," said a beaming Nader.While Wightman celebrated his silver after an injury-plagued three years since he won the title in 2022, there was misery for reigning champion Josh Kerr after the Briton was left hopping along midway through the race, apparently with an injury.Even at 34, Moon is pretty much unbeatable in an event that has failed to match the heights of the men's event in which Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis broke the world record for the 14th time in Tokyo. Moon triumphed with a best vault of 4.90 metres, a considerable 16 centimetres shy of the world record set by Yelena Isinbayeva 16 years ago."It feels fun watching girls getting in shape in real life," said Moon. "I am 34 now and I have seen several athletes come in young and blossom. All my medals are special but this one is the one. The older you get, it gets harder."The men's long jump went to Italian Mattia Furlani, 20, who confirmed his Olympic bronze last year was no fluke with a winning effort of 8.39m. Defending champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece was totally out of sorts and finished 11th.One lesson to be learned is beware Kenyan women distance athletes called Faith. Faith Kipyegon romped to the 1500m title on Tuesday and Wednesday it was the turn of Faith Cherotich to triumph in the 3,000m steeplechase.Femke Bol has had the misfortune to compete in the 400m hurdes at a time when the phenomenon that is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been around.McLaughlin-Levrone, though, has turned her attention to the 400m flat and is favourite to add that world title to her tally Thursday.Bol, three times a minor medallist behind the American, can take advantage of her absence to retain her world crown, just as she did in the 2023 championships. Bol had far too much pace in her semi-final for former Olympic and world champion Dalilah Muhammad, who at 35 is 10 years older than the Dutchwoman.The climax to the men's event is a rematch of the three medallists from the 2021 Olympic final in Tokyo. Karsten Warholm, who set a memorable world record on that scorching day, takes on runner-up Rai Benjamin, who avenged that defeat in winning Olympic gold in Paris last year, with bronze medallist, 2022 world champion Alison dos Santos, completing the trio.The stage is set for perhaps the most keenly awaited clash in the field events, the men's javelin final Thursday, between Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan and the man he deposed in Paris last year India's Neeraj Chopra. However, the script came close to being torn up by Nadeem until he saved face in qualifying with his third and final throw.Chopra feels right at home in the stadium where he won Olympic gold four years ago, albeit with empty stands owing to Covid restrictions. "That Olympic gold medal changed everything for me," he said. "After winning it, I started to believe in myself."Nadeem may have pulled it out of the fire but it was not the case for another Olympic champion, Spanish triple jumper Jordan Diaz. The 24-year-old's dream of a full house of titles, he is also European champion, ended, as he pulled up with a quadriceps injury in qualifying.All the favourites in the men's and women's 200m – in which Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is bidding to become the first to achieve the individual sprint double since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013 – eased into semi-finals.Joining them is 17-year-old Australian Gout Gout, of whom great things are expected. The Australia-born son of South Sudanese parents took his first experience of a global championships in his long stride. "It's a great experience for me, running against the big dogs," said Gout. After the action was followed by big crowds early in the champions, Wednesday's action attracted just shy of 36,000, leaving thousands of empty seats.

Beatrice Chebet won the 10,000m world title while the cream of sprinting delighted a sellout 55,000 crowd at the world championships Saturday – a stark contrast to the empty stadium at the Covid-affected Tokyo Games in 2021.Chebet, 25, added the world title to her Olympic crown in Paris last year where the Kenyan also won the 5,000m. “I wanted that gold medal so much,” she said. “I have never won a gold at the world championships so I was sure I had to get it.”That was one of several titles on offer, giving a gentle lead-in to the finals of the men’s and women’s blue riband event, the 100m, Sunday.Ryan Crouser proved he has no equal in the shot put as despite missing the outdoor season through injury he became the second man – after Werner Guenthoer over 30 years ago – to be crowned world outdoor champion on three successive occasions. “This is my first time throwing hard since September last year, (so) this one is the one I am most proud of,” said Crouser.There was also gold for the American 4x400m mixed relay team, avenging their defeat by the Netherlands in last year’s Olympic final. The Dutch, anchored by 400m hurdles favourite Femke Bol, had to be satisfied with silver.All the favourites wasted little energy in qualifying for Sunday’s men’s 100m semi-finals. Olympic champion Noah Lyles and the Jamaican who lost out to him by the slimmest of margins at the Paris Olympics, Kishane Thompson, look in prime form despite the championships coming at the end of the season.Lyles did not enjoy his previous, crowdless experience in Tokyo but he is a different person four years later and put on a show for his audience. “As you know, it was a bit echoing back then and this time there is all the atmosphere, whistles and children cheering for me,” he said. “It really feels good to be back. This is the best form I have ever been in my life. I am bringing special things here.”Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo and two-time Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek also impressed. Bednarek, who pushed Lyles in the back and accused him of showing disrespect at the US trials, will hope he remembers every bit of kit Sunday having left his spikes in the United States. “I am just a clumsy dude,” he said.Women’s 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred laid down the law in her heat, storming out of the blocks and the Saint Lucia star cantered over the line in 10.93sec. Defending world champion Sha’Carri Richardson had a far stronger heat, including two-time 200m world champion Shericka Jackson, but neither had to over-exert themselves as they eased into the semi-finals.Jackson’s legendary compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is also through but remains an outsider to add to her ten world golds and make it a fairytale farewell. On form alone, Alfred’s biggest threat is American champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. Third behind Alfred in last year’s Olympic final, the 24-year-old said she could cope with a change in expectations from a minor medal prospect to one of the title favourites. “I already hold myself to a really high standard and expectations, so the pressures of the outside world, I really don’’t feel them,” she said. “I try to make sure I go out there and focus on Melissa, focus on what I can do and run my races to the best of my ability.”Edmund Serem is just 17 but the Kenyan showed he is a real title prospect. He kept his head after an early mistake in the 3,000m steeplechase and went on to win his heat –even having the time to join his hands together and hold them in front of his face as he crossed the line. However, he will have to go some to beat two-time defending champion Sofiane El Bakkali – Morocco’s two-time Olympic gold medallist coasted through his heat.

Qatar’s Saif Mohammed qualified for the men’s pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 Saturday, setting a new Qatar, Gulf, Arab and West Asia record for with a clearance of 5.75m.President of the Qatar Athletics Federation, Mohammed Issa Al-Fadala, hailed the achievement, expressing confidence in Saif’s ability to excel in the final.“The historic achievement of champion Saif Mohammed in pole vault and his record is a source of pride for all Qataris and Arabs. He has not only raised the name of Qatar, but also the flag of the Arabs and Asia in the world’s toughest athletics competitions,” Al-Fadala said.Qatar is competing in Tokyo with 11 athletes. Among the standout entries, Abderrahman Samba, bronze medallist in the 400m hurdles at the 2019 Doha Worlds, returns to the event alongside Bassem Hemeida. The 4x400m relay team will feature Ashraf Hussein, Hemeida, Ismail Daoud, and Ammar Ismail.Omar Dawood lines up in the 110m hurdles while Ammar Ismail, Khaled Hussein, Youssef Abdel Aziz, and Ahmed Haroun will race in the 400m, with Ibrahim Zakaria in the 800m.

Noah Lyles, Armand Duplantis and Faith Kipyegon headline the world championships in Tokyo but it is an opportunity for new stars to emerge and add a freshness to the established order. AFP Sport picks out five prospects who could achieve just that:MenCooper Lutkenhaus (USA)A loaded 800 metres with Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya and Canada's defending title holder Marco Arop makes it one of the standout races -- the American teenager adds even more spice to it. At 16 and 272 days when he runs in his heat he will be the youngest athlete to compete for the USA at a world championships.Lutkenhaus earned his ticket with a brilliant effort to finish second at the US trials in an under-18 world record time of 1min 42.27sec. He has turned professional, signing a contract with Nike -- becoming the youngest American athlete to do so.While his rivals have the advantage of a wealth of experience his coach believes his attitude will help him. "He doesn't make the bad or the good too high or too low," his high school coach Chris Capeau said. "He loves celebration and loves being hyped up about it. But if it's a bad day, he still loves it."Niels Laros (NED)It could be a case of double Dutch in Tokyo – Femke Bol in the women's 400m hurdles and Laros in the 1500m. Laros, 20, is the coming man, and the form one too as he arrives armed with the Diamond League title.There are question marks over Tokyo Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen after an injury-plagued season, his successor as Olympic gold medallist Kyle Hocker and defending world champion Josh Kerr. Laros, who was sixth in the Olympic final, could have opted for the 800m or the 5,000m – both Hocker and Ingebrigtsen are eyeing the 1500m-5000m double – but has decided not to overreach. "In Tokyo I will focus on the 1500m," said Laros. "My coach and I know that there will be high expectations, we want to be realistic. But of course I am dreaming about the podium."Oleh Doroshchuk (UKR)The Dutch may entertain hopes of a track double but the Ukrainians have similar aspirations in the high jump. World record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh is favoured to retain her title and Doroshchuk has an excellent chance of becoming the first man from his country to be crowned champion since Bohdan Bondarenko in 2013.Based on his season so far, Doroshchuk could deliver as Mahuchikh has constantly done since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, giving a welcome morale boost to their compatriots. The 24-year-old comes into the championships after victory in the Brussels Diamond League meet, beating Olympic champion Hamish Kerr, who then avenged that at the Diamond League finals in Zurich.He is building up a medals collection, European outdoors bronze last year and gold in the European indoors earlier this year. The only slight worry is the knee injury he suffered earlier in the season. "The world championships are all I think about. I just want to compete there," he said in July. "From the start, all the work has been done only for this."WomenAudrey Werro (SUI)The 21-year-old could break a glass ceiling for Swiss women and become the first to win an 800m medal in a world or Olympic final. Werro, daughter of a Swiss father and an Ivorian mother, has transferred seamlessly into the senior ranks after an impressive junior career.Twice European Under-20 champion, she won under-20 silver in the 2022 championships in Colombia, and this year won the European Under-23 title. She rounded off her Diamond League campaign in fine style, winning in front of her home crowd in Zurich, becoming the first Swiss woman to lift a Diamond League trophy.Only Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson has run faster than her winning time of 1:55.91 – also a Swiss record – this season. Despite that, she is measured in her ambitions for Tokyo. "I want to make the final and then after that run my best and see what happens."Leyanis Perez (CUB)The 23-year-old has restored some lustre to Cuban women's triple jumping. Her bronze in the 2023 world championships in Budapest ended a 14-year hiatus in terms of medals in the event at the championships. Perez topped that with the world indoor title this year, she is the world leader in the event this season and collected a Diamond League trophy.However, if she is to become the first Cuban to win the women's title since Yargelis Savigne retained her crown in 2009 she might have to battle Venezuelan great and four-time champion Yulimar Rojas, who is still seeking her best form after injury deprived her of the 2024 Olympics. It should be some spectacle and Perez will know the 29-year-old Rojas never gives up, having been present when she won gold in Budapest.

The men’s 400m hurdles is set for another historic showdown in Tokyo, where the three fastest in history — Karsten Warholm, Rai Benjamin and Alison dos Santos — renew their rivalry with the world record always under threat. Joining them is Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba, the Asian record-holder and 2019 world bronze medallist, who has returned to form this season and could disrupt the established trio’s dominance. Samba, who has constantly struggled with injuries, has clocked 47.09 at the Paris Diamond League meeting to finish second behind Benjamin. His personal best is the Asian record of 46.98 he ran in Paris in 2018. But its Warholm, Benjamin and dos Santos who have built a rivalry that has taken their event into a new era. Norway's Warholm is the world record-holder with 45.94 from the Tokyo Olympics, USA's Benjamin was second in that Olympic final in 46.17 and claimed the Olympic crown in Paris, while Brazil's Dos Santos ran a championship record of 46.29 when winning the 2022 world title in Oregon. It has been like this for years. Now they return to Tokyo, four years on from that magnificent Olympic clash in an empty stadium due to the pandemic. They are ready to put on another show, this time with a crowd to watch. Warholm arrives in Tokyo with the world-leading time. He clocked the third-fastest time in history – 46.28 – at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Silesia, just weeks before the World Championships. It is a time that only he and Benjamin have ever beaten. “Hungry for more,” Warholm wrote on social media, sharing a picture of him beside his result on the clock. After that he ran 46.70 to win his third Diamond League title in Zurich. Benjamin’s best this season is 46.54, achieved when winning at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm ahead of Dos Santos and Warholm, while Dos Santos has a season’s best of 46.65, set when winning at the Diamond League event in Eugene ahead of Benjamin. The trio four years ago presented the fastest final in 400m hurdles history, when all three of them went under 46.78 – the time by Kevin Young that had stood as the world record for almost 29 years until Warholm first broke it in Oslo. Since the Warholm coronation in Tokyo, they have been changing positions over time. Dos Santos got gold in 2022 at the World Championships in Oregon in 46.29, and the year after that Warholm won in Budapest with 46.89. At the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, another change: Benjamin dethroned Warholm to win gold. He is the only one among the trio, however, who is yet to claim a world 400m hurdles title. "Everyday breaking records, I guess things are just happening fast,” wrote Benjamin after winning the US title, his final race ahead of Tokyo, while Dos Santos shared photos from his final training sessions to the sounds of a Brazilian rapper named Djonga who sings: "I am not afraid, I am hungry.” Africa is also represented, as Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel ran a national record of 47.31 to finish between Warholm and Samba in Silesia, while Benjamin’s US team-mates Caleb Dean and Chris Robinson have both run 47.76 this year.