Global experts condemn Japanese prime minister's erroneous Taiwan remarks

Diplomats and scholars worldwide have denounced Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on China's Taiwan region as provocative and destabilizing, reinforcing that the one-China principle remains an unwavering international consensus.

At a Diet meeting last month, 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.

Her remarks have sparked strong criticism inside Japan and raised concerns across the international community.

Ivan Mrkic, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, described the Japanese leader's approach as "highly unwise."

"Such statements serve neither Japan's honor nor any other country's. There was no need to make remarks that have genuinely angered China. Taiwan belongs to China, as stated by our President Aleksandar Vucic, and China's sovereignty is beyond question. The Japanese Prime Minister's erroneous stance is not conducive to regional stability," he said.

Colombian political economist Maximiliano Londono called on Takaichi to rethink her remarks and for Japan to reflect more carefully on its past history.

"The Japanese Prime Minister must retract these aggressive policies, because the one-China principle is recognized by over 180 countries worldwide. Japan must acknowledge all the wrongs and crimes it committed against China and other Asian nations. Japan must not engage in military expansion, or it will once again threaten peace in Asia and the world," said Londono.

In Thailand, Phuwanart Na Songkhla, president of the Journalism Association of Thammasat University and the former president of the Thai-Chinese Journalists Association, highlighted the breach of diplomatic norms.

"These remarks violate international law and undermine the political foundation of China-Japan relations. No national leader in the world should make such statements. What is worrying is that the Japanese prime minister shows no sign of remorse and continues to insist on her mistaken viewpoint, further intensifying international political tensions," he said.

Meanwhile, Dennis Munene, Executive Director of the China-Africa Center at the Africa Policy Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, pointed to the historical agreements which set out a clear position that should be adhered to.

"I hope that the Prime Minister of Japan will be able to be reminded of the Cairo Declaration (1943) and the Potsdam Declaration (1945) that both advocate that the Taiwan issue is an internal issue within China. And no other country should be able to get involved in that. And we hope that the people of Japan will be able to know to basically follow those words and be able to ensure that we respect the sovereignty of the Chinese people. The Taiwan issue is an internal issue," he said.

Global experts condemn Japanese prime minister's erroneous Taiwan remarks

A group of Japanese people took to the street in Tokyo on Thursday, demanding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to retract her erroneous remarks concerning China's Taiwan region and opposing her plan to expand the military.

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 at home and abroad.

Some protesters gathering near the National Diet Building were holding placards against Takaichi regime's efforts to incite war and promote xenophobia, while others read "smash military buildup budget," as Takaichi's blatant interference into China's internal affairs seems to be part of her attempt to lift Japan's military restrictions using the so-called external threats as an excuse.

"The China-Japan Joint Statement has already confirmed the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Japan once invaded and occupied Taiwan for 50 years. Is Japan to repeat the disastrous policy? It's the Japanese people's responsibility to prevent that from happening," said a protester.

"Japan did invade China and killed many Chinese people in history. Instead of soul-searching, the Japanese government is seeking to do it again. This must not be allowed," said another protester.

In late November, the Japanese government approved a supplementary budget proposal for fiscal 2025 (April 2025-March 2026), boosting defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) ahead of schedule.

Japan's accelerated increase in defense spending and remilitarization attempts over the past few years have raised widespread concerns and opposition and reignited doubts about the country's future direction.

"The Constitution says armed forces 'will never be maintained,' yet Japan has self-defense forces now. This is self-contradictory. In nature it's no different from the situation before the end of the war," said another protester.

Japanese rally against PM, military buildup