Japan-China tensions escalate over minister’s Taiwan remarks

A statement by Japanese Minister for Economic Security Sanae Takaichi, suggesting that a Chinese intervention in Taiwan could constitute a “situation that threatens the survival” of her country and would necessitate the use of force, has strained relations between the two nations.

Takaichi, a prominent conservative politician, said on Friday that China’s use of force around Taiwan could be described as an “existential threat.”

Her comments drew sharp criticism from Beijing over the weekend. Chinese Consul General Xue Jian asked in a since-deleted post, “We have no choice but to cut off that dirty neck that has attacked us without hesitation. Are you ready?”

Xue also criticized past statements by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other Japanese lawmakers that “a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency,” calling them “blatant interference in China’s internal affairs and a violation of sovereignty,” and said these statements should be retracted and apologized for.

On Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that Tokyo had protested to Beijing over Xue’s post on X.

Kihara stated, “While the exact intent of (Xue’s) post is not entirely clear, we must say that this comment is… extremely inappropriate.”

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also lodged a “strong protest,” demanding the post be deleted. Kihara asked China for an explanation.

This dispute suggests that Japan-China relations may face challenges, despite a cordial meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Takaichi has pledged to strengthen the military and angered China by meeting with the Taiwanese representative attending the summit, a day after Xi’s meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that Xue’s post was a personal one, “directed at the erroneous and dangerous statements aimed at separating Taiwan from Chinese territory and advocating for military intervention in the Taiwan Strait.”

Lin accused some Japanese politicians and media of exaggerating the issue to confuse public perception and divert attention.

Lin stated that China had conveyed “serious complaints and protests” to Japan over Takaichi’s remarks.

The spokesperson asked, “Is Japan trying to challenge China’s core interests and obstruct the great cause of China’s reunification? Where does Japan intend to take China-Japan relations?”

The latest diplomatic tension began on Friday when Takaichi was asked in parliament about scenarios that could pose a threat to Japan.

The conservative minister gave examples such as China imposing a naval blockade on Taiwan and conducting military operations to prevent US forces from coming to its aid.

Takaichi said, “If the use of warships and military actions are involved, this could certainly become a situation that threatens our survival, where Japan could use force for defense.”

When her words were interpreted as a deviation from the statements of her predecessors, sparking a debate, Takaichi later backtracked, pledging that her remarks were within the previous official line.