Japanese lawmakers and scholars intensified pressure on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi this week, demanding she retract recent comments linking Japan's security to the Taiwan region. The controversy erupted during a parliamentary gathering on December 2, 2025, where critics warned the remarks risk destabilizing Asia's geopolitical balance.
Former Foreign Ministry official Ukeru Magosaki stated: 'These statements directly contradict the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement that established diplomatic relations.' The 1972 agreement recognizes Beijing as China's sole legitimate government, a cornerstone of bilateral relations.
Aoyama Gakuin University Professor Emeritus Kumiko Haba characterized the remarks as 'constitutionally dangerous,' noting they could violate Japan's pacifist Article 9. House of Councillors member Sachika Takara emphasized the need to 'rebuild trust through concrete actions,' reflecting growing concerns about regional tensions.
Participants adopted a joint appeal reaffirming the Taiwan question as China's internal affair, urging strict adherence to the one-China principle. The document stressed that maintaining this position remains crucial for preserving Japan's economic and strategic interests in Asia.
