A Russian parliamentary member and a Tanzanian scholar have slammed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent provocative remarks regarding China's Taiwan, saying her statement poses a challenge to post-World War II (WWII) international order and risks destabilizing both regional and global stability.
At a Diet meeting on Nov 7, Takaichi claimed that a "Taiwan emergency" involving the use of military force by the Chinese mainland could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, which could prompt the Self-Defense Forces to exercise the right of collective self-defense.
On Nov 10, Takaichi insisted her remarks were in line with the government's longstanding view and that she had no intention to retract the remarks.
"This is an attempt to cross the bottom line of history, which is an agreement reached after WWII. Many countries, including Russia, have released statements, saying that such actions by the Japanese government are intolerable both now and in the future. We hope that Japan will correct its wrongdoing as soon as possible to prevent historical mistakes from repeating themselves," said Maria Butina, a member of Russian State Duma.
"Recently, Japan was decided as a friend of NATO and the expansion NATO into the Southeast Asia risks not only confrontation with China but with other players in that part. That statement of Takaichi even risks [undermining] the [one-China policy]. And I think that is detrimental not only to that region but also to the world," said Marcus Albanie, a Tanzanian scholar.
Takaichi's Taiwan remarks have also drawn strong criticism from legal scholars, anti-war groups and opposition parties at home.
Japanese public opinion pointed out that Takaichi's statement violated the commitment made by the Japanese government in the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement and clearly contradicted Japan's long-standing foreign policy towards China, which was bound to cause unnecessary tension in the region.
Russian lawmaker, Tanzanian scholar say Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan challenges post-war int'l order
Russian lawmaker, Tanzanian scholar say Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan challenges post-war int'l order
