Takaichi should immediately retract wrongful remarks, apologize: scholar

China

Takaichi should immediately retract wrongful remarks, apologize: scholar

2025-11-19 14:44 Last Updated At：23:27

A Japanese scholar has expressed serious concerns over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent provocative remarks on Taiwan, urging the government to retract the remarks and issue an immediate apology to China.

Takaichi recently said that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Despite multiple representations from China, the Japanese side has refused to retract the remarks.

Yasukatsu Matsushima, a professor at the Ryukoku University in Japan, said in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) that Takaichi's remarks violate both the Japanese Constitution and international law, calling for prompt retraction to reduce their harmful consequences.

"The legal effect of the Japanese Constitution remains unchanged. However, the Takaichi administration is attempting to alter this and has made remarks that violate the Constitution. This is an extremely serious issue, and also represents a major problem from the perspective of international law. I think Prime Minister Takaichi must retract these remarks," Matsushima said.

The professor also stressed that Japan, as an island nation, must maintain good relations with other countries from an economic standpoint. He urged a prompt apology for the wrongful remarks.

"The remarks by the Takaichi administration carry militaristic undertones and are plunging Japan further into crisis. In fact, the 'survival threat' lies in the fact that the longer the Takaichi administration remains in power, the greater the risk gets for Japan's national survival. From an economic perspective, Japan is an island nation and must maintain friendly relations with other countries, particularly with China, which is one of Japan's most important trading partners. A peaceful environment must be maintained, especially given the many Chinese tourists visiting Japan. Therefore, I believe an apology should be issued as soon as possible," Matsushima added.

Iranian foreign minister hails fruitful China visit, says all pressing issues discussed

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has described his visit to China as highly significant and productive, with the two sides holding in-depth talks on bilateral relations and all the pressing issues Iran currently faces.

Araghchi, who visited China on Wednesday and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said in an interview with Iranian state-run IRIB news agency that post-war Iran is entering a new phase of international cooperation.

"Our Chinese friends also believe that Iran after the war is different from Iran before the war, that it has proven its capabilities and strength. Therefore, a new phase of cooperation between Iran and other countries lies ahead," he said.

The foreign minister said the two sides reviewed a full range of current issues and yielded fruitful results.

"We reviewed all the current issues, matters related to the war and how to end it, the negotiations currently under way, issues related to Iran's nuclear program and the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities, matters related to sanctions, and all bilateral issues. The issue of the Strait of Hormuz, which was one of our serious topics, and the necessity of respecting the rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with all existing viewpoints, were also discussed," he said.