China has summoned Japan’s ambassador in Beijing following controversial remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. The escalating diplomatic row comes as tensions flare over potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
The dispute began last Friday during a parliamentary session in Japan, when Takaichi was asked under what circumstances Taiwan’s situation could threaten Japan’s survival. She replied that the presence of Chinese warships or use of force could trigger Japan’s self-defense response.
Under Japan’s 2015 security law, a “survival-threatening situation” allows the activation of Japan’s self-defense forces if an attack on its allies poses an existential threat. China’s foreign ministry immediately condemned Takaichi’s comments as “egregious.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Xue Jian, China’s consul general in Osaka, reshared a news article about Takaichi’s statement on X and added a threatening comment. While Japan called the remark “highly inappropriate,” Xue’s post has since been deleted.
Despite the backlash, Takaichi defended her statement as consistent with Japan’s traditional position, though she pledged to avoid discussing specific scenarios in the future.
On Thursday, China’s foreign ministry warned Japan to “stop playing with fire” and called any interference in the cross-Strait situation an “act of aggression.” Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong summoned Japan’s ambassador, describing Takaichi’s remarks as “extremely wrong and dangerous” and demanding their withdrawal. Japan reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful resolution of Taiwan issues through dialogue.
The dispute is deeply rooted in history. Relations between China and Japan remain tense due to past conflicts, including Japan’s military actions in China during World War Two. China’s statement emphasized that any military intervention by Japan in Taiwan would result in severe consequences.
With Takaichi’s rise—aligned with conservative former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s policies—and her push for closer US ties and increased defense spending, experts anticipate further strains in China-Japan relations.
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