Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan Remarks Spark Intense Japan-China Diplomatic Showdown

A diplomatic firestorm has erupted between Tokyo and Beijing, fueled by recent comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning a potential emergency in Taiwan. What began as a parliamentary answer has quickly escalated into a week-long exchange of protests, ambassador summons, and heated rhetoric, underscoring the delicate balance of power and simmering tensions in East Asia.

The Spark: Takaichi’s Stance on Taiwan and Collective Self-Defense

The controversy began on Friday, November 7, when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a Diet session, addressed a hypothetical scenario involving Taiwan. She suggested that an emergency in Taiwan, particularly one involving the use of force, could potentially be categorized as a “situation threatening Japan’s survival” under Japan’s security legislation. Should such a situation arise, Takaichi indicated that Japan might exercise its right to collective self-defense.

This statement, though framed hypothetically, touched a raw nerve in Beijing. China views democratic and self-governed Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory, to be reunified by force if necessary, and considers any foreign commentary on Taiwan as a grave interference in its internal affairs.

China’s Swift and Fiery Retort

Beijing’s reaction was immediate and forceful. On November 8, China’s Foreign Ministry lodged a strong protest, accusing Tokyo of “gross interference in internal affairs.” The diplomatic tension escalated further on Thursday, November 13, when Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi. Sun demanded a retraction of Takaichi’s comments, issuing what Beijing described as a “solemn representation.”

The Controversial Social Media Post

Adding fuel to the fire, Chinese Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, posted a highly provocative message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on November 8. Attaching an Asahi Shimbun report about Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks, Xue wrote, “For that dirty head that brazenly barges in, it should be mercilessly cut off. Are you ready?”

Although the post was swiftly deleted, it caused an uproar in Japan, with many interpreting it as a direct threat against Prime Minister Takaichi. U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, also weighed in on November 9, stating that Xue Jian’s “mask had slipped again” and criticizing China’s failure to act as a “good neighbor.”

Japan’s Clarification and Unwavering Stance

In response to the escalating criticism, Sanae Takaichi clarified her earlier remarks on Monday, stating they were merely “hypothetical statements” and regretting the specific examples she had provided. However, this did little to quell China’s indignation, with state media like the People’s Daily continuing to publish commentaries asserting Takaichi’s comments represented the first “threat of force” from a Japanese leader since World War II.

Japan, for its part, has maintained its position. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reiterated on Friday that Japan’s stance on Taiwan remains consistent with the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement. He affirmed that Japan expressed its position to the Chinese ambassador and explained the intent behind Prime Minister Takaichi’s comments.

Kihara also lodged a strong protest with Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao regarding Consul General Xue Jian’s threatening social media post, demanding an appropriate response from China. Meanwhile, Japan’s Vice Foreign Minister, Kenji Funakoshi, summoned Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao to the Foreign Ministry to protest Xue Jian’s post, with Wu emphasizing China’s position and Funakoshi countering based on Japan’s consistent government stance.

Broader Regional Implications and Future Outlook

This diplomatic spat occurs less than a month into Sanae Takaichi’s tenure as Prime Minister, and just two weeks after her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Seoul, where both leaders agreed to promote constructive and stable bilateral relations. However, Takaichi’s subsequent meeting and photo with a Taiwanese representative at the summit had already irked Beijing.

The Japanese government consistently emphasizes that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are not only crucial for Japan’s security but also for the stability of the international community. Japan’s commitment remains to resolve the Taiwan issue peacefully through dialogue. The heightened rhetoric underscores the fragile nature of Japan-China relations and the critical role of the Taiwan Strait in regional security. As Japan moves to increase its defense budget to 2% of GDP, citing concerns over neighboring military activities, the international community watches closely for the next development in this evolving geopolitical landscape.