Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Japan's prime minister's office on Tuesday evening, demanding Sanae Takaichi retract her recent comments regarding potential military involvement in the Taiwan Strait. Banners reading "Retract the remarks, resign now" underscored rising domestic opposition to the leader's stance.
Takaichi's remarks, which hinted at intervention in cross-strait affairs, have drawn sharp criticism from Japanese political figures and international observers. Hiroji Yamashiro, Permanent Secretary of the Social Democratic Party's National Union, condemned the statements in an interview with China Media Group, calling them a violation of Japan's 1972 commitment to recognize the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, including the Taiwan region.
"Any military involvement would constitute aggression," Yamashiro warned, emphasizing that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair. He invoked Japan's pacifist constitution, stating: "Dragging Japan into conflict through inflammatory rhetoric betrays our historical responsibility as a nation that once waged war."
The controversy comes amid heightened regional tensions, with analysts noting increased scrutiny of Japan's security policies following recent developments in East Asia. Protest organizers highlighted concerns that the remarks could destabilize diplomatic relations across the region.
