#Taiwan #Japan #Tokyo #Sanae Takaichi

Controversial Remarks from Japan's Prime Minister

In the aftermath of the Economic Leaders Meeting of APEC 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi caused a stir with her comments during a parliamentary session. On November 7, 2025, Takaichi stated that a military emergency in Taiwan involving the use of Chinese naval and military forces could threaten Japan's survival. This statement has significant implications, as it calls for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to enact the right to collective self-defense, equating it to mobilization during wartime.

Despite the backlash following her statements, Takaichi firmly stood by her words on November 10, arguing that her stance aligned with Japan’s long-standing governmental policy, and she had no intention of retracting her comments.

The diplomatic tensions surged as China responded angrily, with foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemning Takaichi’s remarks as provocative and implying the potential for armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Despite formal diplomatic protests from China, Takaichi maintained her position, refusing to backtrack.

Domestic responses to Takaichi’s remarks were also heated. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba criticized Takaichi, pointing out that her language bordered on suggesting that events in Taiwan directly indicated a crisis in Japan, a serious claim that previous administrations avoided addressing definitively. Opposition party legislators insisted on a retraction, with Hiroshi Ogushi from the Constitutional Democratic Party arguing that labeling a situation as threatening Japan's survival could lead straight to the mobilization of defense—a judgment tantamount to declaring war. Ichiro Ozawa emphasized the need for calm diplomacy, claiming that this kind of rhetoric created unnecessary risks for Japanese citizens.

The criticisms continued, with Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party echoing calls for Takaichi’s retraction, expressing concern that her comments escalated tensions and undermined constructive relations between Japan and China. Ex-Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also made it clear that Japan should not meddle in China’s internal matters.

Voices from Taiwan reflected similar unease. Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou remarked that Taiwan's issues should not involve foreign intervention and pointed out that they need resolution through peaceful dialogue between the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Ex-Chairperson of the Kuomintang, Hung Hsiu-chu, questioned Japan's right to interfere, stressing that Taiwan is no longer a Japanese colony and should not be a pawn in geopolitical maneuvers. Political commentator Lai Yueh-chien plainly stated that Japan should not take such liberties in Taiwan's affairs.

Takaichi’s comments go beyond the realm of diplomatic discourse, reflecting a daunting trend of historical revisionism and strategic amnesia among Japan's right-wing politicians. This not only fosters distrust but also heightens the risk of miscalculation and unintended escalation amid one of the most sensitive geopolitical hotspots in the region.

The weight of words spoken by a sitting prime minister cannot be understated, especially when hinting at military intervention—these words can reshape strategic premises and accelerate dangerous response planning.

The responses from Japan and China illustrate a basic truth: leaders who casually invoke conflict endanger peace rather than protect it. At a time when stability in the region demands moderation, diplomacy, and clarity, Takaichi’s approach achieves the opposite. Her reckless language can radicalize positions, erode dialogue and drive the region toward confrontation—for which the repercussions would not just be political, but profoundly destructive, ultimately impacting the populace she claims to defend.