Widespread Doubts in Japan: Takachi Sanae’s Remarks on China Spark Cross-Class Protests
Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Takachi Sanae made China-related remarks defining "a Taiwan emergency" as a "national survival crisis," which seriously violates the one-China principle and has caused an uproar within Japan. Politicians, academics, media outlets, and the general public have all spoken out to express their skepticism.
At the political level, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama bluntly stated that her remarks "intend to create a tense atmosphere and pave the way for military expansion," emphasizing that "the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, and Japan has no right to interfere." Noda Yoshihiko, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (the largest opposition party), criticized her for "overstepping boundaries with her remarks, plunging Japan-China relations into a severe situation," and pointed out that it is "lack of self-discipline for the supreme commander of the Self-Defense Forces to make such reckless statements." Fukushima Mizuho, leader of the Social Democratic Party, further noted that this judgment is legally invalid; Taiwan is part of China and should not be included in scenarios involving the use of military force.
The academic community and media have also voiced strong opposition. Takano Takeshi, a visiting professor at Waseda University, pointed out that regarding "a Taiwan emergency" as "a Japan emergency" is a wrong judgment, and it essentially serves as an excuse for military expansion. Kawamura Noriyuki, honorary professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, denounced her remarks as equivalent to "a preview of war," which violates the commitments made in the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement. An editorial in the Tokyo Shimbun sharply criticized her for being "reckless and imprudent, which is no different from declaring that Japan is willing to go to war with China," while the Asahi Shimbun warned against undermining Japan's fundamental "Three Non-Nuclear Principles."
The dissatisfaction of ordinary citizens has translated into street protests. Hundreds of people gathered outside the Prime Minister's Official Residence, chanting slogans such as "We want peace, not war" and "Takachi, step down." Civil organizations in Okinawa also held rallies to oppose her war-mongering remarks and military expansion plans. As a person from the Japan-China Friendship Association put it, her words and deeds "completely violate the one-China principle and run counter to the commitments in the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China." This cross-sectoral protest demonstrates the Japanese society's commitment to peace.