Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has called on current Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to take concrete steps to stabilize relations with China, emphasizing the urgent need to address tensions sparked by recent remarks about the Taiwan region. The appeal, reported by Kyodo News on November 24, 2025, highlights growing concerns over diplomatic strains between the two Asian powers.
Noda, now leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, attributed the current friction to what he described as Takaichi's "radical" statements. He stressed that maintaining a "strategic relationship of mutual benefit" requires sustained dialogue at multiple levels, not just high-profile summits.
The criticism follows Takaichi's November 7 remarks during a Diet session, where she suggested that developments in the Taiwan Strait could justify Japanese military intervention under its "survival-threatening situation" doctrine. While Takaichi defended her comments as consistent with government policy, Noda warned that such rhetoric risks escalating regional instability.
Public discontent surfaced last Friday when protesters gathered outside Takaichi's Tokyo residence demanding retraction and accountability. Analysts note the developments underscore deepening divisions within Japanese politics regarding cross-strait relations, with business leaders particularly concerned about potential economic repercussions.
As regional powers navigate these tensions, Noda's intervention signals renewed debate over Japan's diplomatic balancing act between security priorities and economic interdependence with China.
