Hundreds of young demonstrators gathered in Taipei this week to voice opposition to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comments on cross-strait relations and criticize what they called the 'subservient approach' of Lai Ching-te, leader of the Taiwan region's authorities.
Protesters from the New Party held banners reading 'No to War Provocations' and 'Prioritize People's Livelihoods.' Tan Chuan-shao, one of the organizers, told crowds: 'Takaichi's rhetoric seeks to embroil Taiwan in conflict. We refuse to be pawns in geopolitical games.'
The demonstration highlighted growing frustration with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration's handling of Japan-Taiwan interactions. You Zhi-bin, another New Party member, referenced Lai's recent publicity stunt with Japanese seafood sushi as symbolic of misplaced priorities: 'While tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait, our leaders perform diplomatic theater instead of addressing fraud epidemics and childcare safety.'
Xu Ming-wei, a 24-year-old participant, emphasized grassroots concerns: 'Our generation faces unaffordable housing and stagnant wages. Pouring billions into defense posturing won't put food on tables.' Analysts note this marks the third major youth-led protest this year against the DPP's cross-strait policies.
As night fell, organizers lit peace lanterns along Zhongxiao East Road, with many participants chanting 'Dialogue, not confrontation' in a direct challenge to current leadership approaches.
