China sends Japan a diplomatic note over US Typhon missiles on Kyushu, echoing Russia

Global Times (https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202609/1371032.shtml) and China Daily (https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab0f58ee4b06d4aa055f4da.html) report that on September 21 foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China had recently sent Japan a diplomatic note opposing the US Army Typhon mid-range missile system deployed on Kyushu, calling it "a strategic offensive weapon" and "yet another example of Japan's accelerated remilitarization." China Daily notes Russia's foreign ministry made similar demands on September 18. The ministry's own transcript (https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/202609/t20260921_12027763.html) records the warning of "arms race" risk.

What it changes (my assessment): the Typhon has lingered in Japan after summer exercises rather than rotating out quickly, and Beijing and Moscow are now coordinating their objections at Tokyo rather than Washington. That lets China press Japan, with which ties are frozen, while courting Trump during Xi's US visit. For Tokyo, the missile's presence strengthens deterrence but hands Beijing a new grievance; whether Washington withdraws or keeps it is the signal to watch.