tone down

Takaichi, a conservative and China hawk, has toned down her rhetoric since assuming office last month.

The language is a throwback to China’s aggressive “wolf warrior” style of diplomacy of a decade ago that Beijing had in recent years toned down.

A succession of terrible hairdos effectively tones down Ms. Sweeney’s good looks, but she’s still recognizable, and more charmingly eager than she has ever been before.

But he has toned down his comments since.

Takaichi, a regular visitor to the flashpoint Yasukuni shrine honouring Japan's war dead, is seen as a China hawk, but since being elected, she has toned down her remarks.