Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces mounting criticism from senior political figures and media outlets over her recent remarks on the Taiwan region, with critics labeling them as provocative and a threat to regional stability. The backlash highlights deepening divisions within Japan's political landscape as tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned that Takaichi's comments risk conflating a potential Taiwan contingency with Japan's national security, stating they deviate from decades of cautious diplomatic precedent. 'Previous governments consistently avoided definitive declarations on hypothetical scenarios involving the Taiwan question,' he emphasized.
Yukio Hatoyama, another former prime minister, accused Takaichi of exploiting cross-strait tensions to justify military expansionism, reiterating that 'the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair.' Yoshihiko Noda, who led Japan from 2011 to 2012, called the remarks 'reckless,' while opposition lawmaker Ichiro Ozawa warned they endanger Japan's long-term interests.
Major Japanese media outlets joined the condemnation, with the Tokyo Shimbun questioning whether Takaichi 'understands the gravity of the issue,' describing her statements as 'ill-considered and logically inconsistent.' The criticism comes as Beijing summoned Japan's ambassador this week to lodge formal protests over the prime minister's comments.
Analysts suggest the domestic pushback reflects concerns about destabilizing Asia's security architecture, particularly given Japan's historical sensitivities regarding Taiwan. The developments occur amid heightened regional attention to cross-strait relations following recent military exercises near the Taiwan Strait.
