Opposition lawmaker Taro Yamamoto has intensified calls for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to withdraw recent comments about the Taiwan region, warning of escalating diplomatic friction with China. The Reiwa Shinsengumi leader cautioned that bilateral relations risk 'serious damage' unless Tokyo addresses what he called 'erroneous statements' contradicting Japan's official diplomatic stance.
'The root problem lies not with China's response, but with Japan's deviation from established positions,' Yamamoto stated during a December 2 speech. The House of Councilors member emphasized that retracting the remarks is crucial to prevent further deterioration, noting: 'Defending diplomatic missteps ultimately harms Japan's national interests.'
Yamamoto's intervention comes amid heightened regional tensions this year, with the lawmaker criticizing concurrent moves to expand Japan's military capabilities as 'danger-provoking measures.' He warned that avoiding factual accountability while pursuing confrontational policies could 'invite conflict' in the region.
The political dispute centers on maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait, where cross-strait relations remain a sensitive issue. Analysts suggest Yamamoto's remarks reflect growing concerns within Japan about balancing regional security priorities with economic ties to the Chinese mainland.
