Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent erroneous remarks regarding China's Taiwan region undermines the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement that both countries signed in 1972, said a Japanese scholar.
In early November, Takaichi said on an official occasion that the Chinese central authorities' "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, and implied the possibility of Japan's armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Despite multiple representations and protests from China, the Japanese side has refused to retract the remarks.
Masakatsu Adachi, an honorary professor of Kanto Gakuin University, said in an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday that what Takaichi said has constituted a gross interference in China's internal affairs.
"From China's standpoint, whatever happens to Taiwan is not Japan's concern. Takaichi's claim that a 'Taiwan contingency' could constitute a 'survival-threatening situation' completely deviated from the spirit of the ‘Sino-Japanese Joint Statement’, and is also absolutely wrong. Therefore, I think she is, indeed, meddling with China's internal affairs," said Masakatsu.
The scholar added that Takaichi should definitely withdraw her wrongful remarks.
"Prime Minister's remarks in the Diet carry significant weight. They will be documented in text and preserved forever. No matter how she tries to justify herself in the future, it will be nothing but sophistry. Therefore, she should promptly take those statements back," Masakatsu said.
Meanwhile, multiple Japanese officials have said that their country is planning to change the ranks of the Self-Defense Forces, such as resuming the usage of old military titles like "Taisa".
The Media believed that such a shift will break the long-standing practice of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces downplaying its military elements.
To Masakatsu, this goes against the Article 9 of Japan's pacifist Constitution, which renounces the nation's right to engage in war or to resort to military force to resolve international conflicts.
"If the titles of the Japan Self-Defense Forces are changed, they will become military ranks, which means Japan has abandoned its pacifism. In this case, even if the Article 9 still exists, it is in name only," Masakatsu noted.
Japanese scholar slams PM's Taiwan remarks for undermining Sino-Japanese Joint Statement
Japanese scholar slams PM's Taiwan remarks for undermining Sino-Japanese Joint Statement
Japanese scholar slams PM's Taiwan remarks for undermining Sino-Japanese Joint Statement
