A change in the proportion accounted for by partner countries in trade between Japan and China has resonated on Chinese social media.

A blogger with over 1.2 million followers on SNS Weibo (Weibo) pointed out on August 30 that "From Japan's perspective, the proportion of trade with China in overall trade has continued to rise from 10% to 20% from 2000 to the present. Although Japan-China relations are not very good, China continues to increase its presence in Japan's foreign trade and has become Japan's largest trading partner."

On the other hand, he argued, "From China's perspective, the proportion of trade with Japan in China's overall trade has continued to decline from 17.5% (in 2000) to 5% (currently). In addition, Japan's share of ASEAN's trade is also falling." He concluded, "Just looking at this, one can understand how dangerous a situation Japan is currently in."

In response to this post, Chinese netizens commented, "A member of Japan's bipartisan parliamentary delegation who recently visited China also said, 'China is important to Japan now, but Japan is not that important to China.'" "What's more frightening is that there's no sign of this trend stopping. One can only say that the Japanese are really good at deceiving themselves." "It used to be difficult. The more China's trade expanded, the more parts we bought from Japanese suppliers. But now, domestic substitution is progressing."

In addition, comments such as "Although Japan-China relations are bad, Japanese companies are still investing in the Chinese market," and "The yen has plummeted, an energy crisis has arisen due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and trade and exports are in overall decline and contraction. Such pressure is suffocating Japan. But I'm happy to watch it," were received. Another user commented, "If Japan's manufacturing industry collapses, all that will be left is timber sales and the service industry. However, with the declining birthrate so severe, the service industry will also lose out to Southeast Asia in the future."

Other opinions included, "As China's various industrial chains advance, other industrial nations around the world are facing direct competition with Chinese companies," "Japan's main trading partner is already shifting to the United States. Corporate profits are also entirely dependent on the U.S.," "If Japan declines, we can also take ASEAN's share," and "The problem is not the quantity, but whether what China buys from Japan can be replaced." (Translated and edited by Kitada)