Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made gravely erroneous remarks on the Taiwan question, drawing widespread international criticism. Experts argue that these statements are not accidental but an inevitable outcome of Japan's long-term rightward political shift, warning of risks to regional peace and a potential revival of militarism.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made provocative remarks on the Taiwan question, hinting at the use of force in the Taiwan Strait, triggering sustained questioning and criticism. David Gosset, a specialist in global affairs and sinology and founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, stated in an interview on China News Network's West-East Talk program that the remarks were "highly inappropriate, simply wrong, and divisive." He stressed that the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair to be resolved by the Chinese people themselves, and Japan has no right to interfere. Gosset added that the 21st century "will not, cannot be and should not be a repetition of the 20th century," and the 1.4 billion Chinese people will never accept it.
Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, agreed, arguing that the remarks are not accidental but an inevitable result of Japan's long-term rightward political shift, driven by conservative forces advocating constitutional revision and military expansion. The core motive, Xiang said, is to break free from post-war constraints and use a so-called "Taiwan contingency" as a pretext to shift Japan from an "exclusively defensive posture" to "active intervention," essentially seeking offensive military capabilities. A second motive is to consolidate her political standing by distancing herself from moderates in the Liberal Democratic Party and securing support from conservative voters and military-industrial groups.
The remarks have triggered negative repercussions, including public protests in Japan and impacts on multiple industries. Tourism has suffered as Chinese tourists cancel trips, leading to flight cancellations and losses for hotels and brands. As China's largest trading partner for Japan, increased uncertainty in economic cooperation could hurt Japanese corporate performance and recovery. Gosset noted that trust is "very important" in China-Japan relations but now "fragile" due to these dangerous statements. Xiang said they violate international law and China-Japan consensus, causing China to lose trust in Japan's diplomatic commitments and undermining bilateral stability.
Since taking office, Takaichi has advanced military strengthening, including pushing defense spending to 2% of GDP, planning missile deployments on Yonaguni Island, and attempting to revise the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," actions misaligned with Japan's post-war peace constitution. Experts warn that Japan is accelerating its departure from peaceful development, with signs of resurfacing militarist thinking. Gosset hopes Takaichi recognizes that true leaders unite rather than divide, urging Japan to learn from history and avoid past mistakes.
