International scholars have criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks regarding China's Taiwan region, noting that the remarks are challenging the post-WWII international orderstability.
At a Diet meeting on Nov 7, Takaichi claimed 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, which has immediately sparked strong criticism inside Japan and across the international community.
"In the context of Trump's agenda and the more right wing shift in Japan, I think what you're getting is a challenge to that agenda. Japan invaded China, Japan invaded most of Asia during World War II. This memory is still very strong about Japan's military adventurism during World War II. There's a feeling since that time that now that this is being raised again, there's a feeling that Japan now has another agenda to do the same thing or to interfere in other's internal affairs and to project its power in the region," said political analyst Dale McKinley from South Africa.
"The Japanese Prime Minister's aggressive remarks about expanding the military are truly worrying. Yes, that is certainly a radical move and an alarming development," said German modern history scholar Max.
Scholars also pointed out that Japan should deeply reflect on and face up to its history of aggression, and clearly recognize that the one-China principle is an important part of the post-war international order.
"I believe the Japanese Prime Minister should deeply reflect on her erroneous remarks and take responsibility for the serious consequences they have caused. Such words and actions are highly inappropriate and constitute a blatant interference in China's internal affairs. The one-China principle is an important component of the post-WWII international order. Violating this principle and supporting separatist forces would be a challenge to peace throughout the region," said Bhokin Bhalakula, former president of National Assembly of Thailand.
"Japan's surrender was subject to accepting that it would not involve itself in a military buildup in war and the like. And therefore, anything that suggests the desire to reach out militarily in other regions, it brings back those memories of the time when Japan invaded other countries and particularly China, and that is militarism and it should be opposed," said Fredrick Mutesa, secretary general of Zambia-China Friendship Association.
Takaichi’s erroneous remarks challenge postwar international order: scholars
