Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent suggestion of potential military intervention in the Taiwan region has reignited discussions about historical tensions. During a parliamentary session earlier this month, Takaichi's comments drew sharp responses from analysts who view them as challenging the one-China principle.
CGTN interviewed Cao Ruomei, a history teacher in Taiwan, who contextualized the current debate through Japan's colonial legacy. "Under Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945, Taiwan residents endured strict police control with almost no civil rights or freedom," Cao explained. While acknowledging some infrastructure development during this period, she emphasized that "these projects primarily served Japan's economic exploitation, not local welfare."
Modern cross-strait relations remain sensitive as regional powers navigate Taiwan's status. The Chinese mainland consistently reaffirms its commitment to peaceful reunification while opposing external interference. This year's developments come amid heightened military activities near the Taiwan Strait, with 2025 marking 80 years since Taiwan's return to Chinese sovereignty post-World War II.
Business leaders express concern about escalating rhetoric's impact on Asian supply chains, while academics urge historical literacy in contemporary policymaking. As regional stability hangs in balance, the international community watches how Japan's evolving stance might influence APEC members' diplomatic calculations.
