Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent erroneous remarks regarding China's Taiwan region have transgressed the boundaries of the rule of law in Japan, and she should retract those remarks as soon as possible, said a Japanese lawyer on Sunday.
In an interview with China Media Group, Masahiko Goto, the lawyer, explained the stance of successive Japanese governments from both legal and historical perspectives.
"Article 9 of the Constitution clearly stipulates that Japan will not maintain military forces or wage war. Therefore, the stance of successive Japanese governments is that the existence of Japan's Self-Defense Forces is to protect the country, while they cannot directly intervene in overseas military conflicts," said Goto.
According to him, Takaichi's recent erroneous remarks deviated from the consistent position of the Japanese government, seriously undermining the political foundation of Japan-China relations.
"Japan signed the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and the 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan, both of which clearly stipulate that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole and legal government representing the Chinese people. Therefore, the Takaichi administration should not violate this treaty, which has been legally effective following the Diet's approval. Legal interpretation does not allow Prime Minister Takaichi to have the Cabinet make interpretations that exceed current laws without the Diet's permission," said Goto.
"Japan has a history of launching aggressions against China. The Japanese government did not endeavor to alleviate the suffering of its people; instead, it led the country astray, coercing its citizens. This is a significant historical mistake that we must not repeat," he continued.
Noting Takaichi administration's advocacy for military expansion and attempt to circumvent the law under the guise of addressing a so-called "security threat", Goto said that her plan will directly reduce budgets for social security, healthcare, education, and other essential services, ultimately harming the interests of ordinary citizens.
"Japan is currently facing various challenges, including soaring prices. The continuously increasing defense spending is highly unusual. What the government should prioritize is reallocating defense spending to healthcare and addressing rising costs -- these are the most urgent needs of every citizen. In a sense, the Takaichi administration is becoming a minority ruling party. By advocating for increased defense spending and pursuing military expansion, coupled with the recent political slush fund scandal, her administration is likely to draw intensifying criticism from the Japanese public," said Goto.
At a Diet meeting in early November, 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 drew strong criticism worldwide.
Takaichi's erroneous remarks, actions violate rule of law in Japan: lawyer
Takaichi's erroneous remarks, actions violate rule of law in Japan: lawyer
