Editorial: 1 yr after Taiwan comments, Japan PM must seek way to ease China tensions
It has been one year since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made comments in the Diet about a Taiwan contingency that so angered Beijing, yet Japan still
A year has passed since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made controversial remarks in the Diet regarding a potential Taiwan contingency, a statement that deeply offended Beijing. Despite this, Japan remains in no position to improve its relationship with China. The path forward is not one of increased aggression, but rather exploring ways to mend the rift.
The previous administrations of Japan avoided discussing the Taiwan-China issue in terms of national survival, allowing for collective self-defense. However, Takaichi, in a rare move, suggested that the Taiwan contingency could become a threat to Japan's survival. This bold statement ignited a fierce reaction from China, which demanded Takaichi retract her comments and threatened countermeasures, including calls for Japanese citizens to avoid traveling to China.
The economic and diplomatic consequences of this conflict were far-reaching, affecting both sectors. Japan's private-sector exchanges suffered, and Beijing retaliated with unreasonable criticism. Despite some signs of change, such as China's willingness to engage with Japanese lawmakers, Takaichi has not made the most of these opportunities. Instead, she has continued to make strong statements to her conservative base.
In her policy speech, Takaichi reiterated her stance on issues in the East and South China seas, military activities around Japan, and human rights concerns, stating that Japan would not shy away from voicing concerns and demanding responsible action. She also expressed support for a mutually beneficial strategic relationship, but offered no concrete measures to achieve this.
The lack of adequate communication between defense authorities raises concerns about the risk of an accidental clash. The upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, presents an opportunity for government-to-government dialogue, but China's President Xi Jinping is unlikely to agree to meet with Takaichi.
Meanwhile, the US and China continue to engage in talks, with discussions of a U.S.-China-Russia summit. Japan cannot afford to rely solely on Washington for its diplomacy. Building trust between the leaders is crucial, especially in light of China's increasingly centralized power under Xi. Takaichi must act now to ease tensions and prevent a situation where major powers dictate matters over Japan's head.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
