Fallout from a behind-the-scenes battle between Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and the nation’s top general, Zhang Youxia, left, have cast a shadow over a snap election that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called for Feb. 8. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Rie Ishii, Tomoki Mera and Reuters)
China up close
Xi Jinping’s purge of Gen. Zhang Youxia coincides with Sanae Takaichi’s election drive
KATSUJI NAKAZAWA
February 5, 2026 02:00 JST
