Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has drawn sharp international criticism following her recent comments invoking the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty to discuss Taiwan's status. Experts warn the statements risk destabilizing East Asian diplomacy and contravene established post-war agreements.
Historical Foundations Challenged
Chinese authorities reiterated that the Cairo Declaration (1943) and Potsdam Proclamation (1945) – both recognized in Japan's surrender documents – unequivocally affirm Taiwan's return to China. Su Xiaohui of the China Institute of International Studies emphasized that Takaichi's stance contradicts four foundational China-Japan diplomatic agreements established since 1972.
Global Condemnation Intensifies
Takakage Fujita of Japan's Murayama Statement preservation group called the remarks "foolish," noting the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique explicitly recognizes Taiwan as China's internal affair. European Parliament member Katerina Konecna warned: "Denying this reality reduces international law to empty words."
Legal Experts Sound Alarm
Italy's Fabio Marcelli, director at the National Research Council, described the comments as "dangerous" to UN Charter principles. South African scholar Sizo Nkala condemned any implied military intervention threats as violations of sovereignty under international law.
As of November 2025, the controversy continues to strain China-Japan relations while raising concerns about regional stability in the Taiwan Strait.
