Sanae Takaichi (2nd R, front) attends the extraordinary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Despite repeated representations from China, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has refused to repent for her blatant and provocative rhetoric on Taiwan.

Her blatant suggestion of possible military involvement in the Taiwan Strait drew worldwide criticism for reviving militarism and threatening regional stability, and political figures and observers in Japan and abroad warn that such remarks may drag the country into a national crisis.

Right wing rhetoric

During a recent parliamentary hearing, Takaichi cited the so-called "survival-threatening situation" -- a trigger designed by the controversial 2015 law -- and linked it to the Taiwan question, suggesting Tokyo might treat the Taiwan question as grounds for military involvement under the legislation.

Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba noted that Takaichi's position is practically equivalent to declaring "a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency," which implies Japan's possible military involvement in the Taiwan Strait.

Yoshihiko Noda, the leader of the CDPJ and former prime minister, said that Takaichi "went too far," creating unnecessary tension in relations with China.

Analysts say Takaichi's fallacies regarding China are by no means an isolated incident but part of a broader agenda by right-wing forces to revive and bolster militarism.

In recent years, Japan has reshaped its security policy, boosting defense spending, easing arms-export restrictions, pursuing offensive weapons development, and moving further down a troubling path of military expansion.

Before taking office, Takaichi has repeatedly made anti-China statements, hyped up the "China threat" narrative, and made irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question.

However, no previous Japanese right-wing prime minister had ever publicly linked a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan to the Taiwan question. As the sitting prime minister, Takaichi's remarks "break precedent," Japan's TV Asahi commented.

Takaichi's remarks expose her right-wing nature, which is somewhat inevitable given the growing influence of extremist forces in Japan's political climate, said Xiang Haoyu, a specially appointed research fellow in the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies of the China Institute of International Studies.

Legally baseless

Experts and officials in Japan say Takaichi's Taiwan rhetoric lacks a legal basis, desecrates history, and risks undermining regional stability.

Takaichi's "survival-threatening situation" remarks lack a legal foundation and a rigorous verification process, and appear more like personal opinions casually expressed in the parliament, said Ryo Sahashi, a professor at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia at the University of Tokyo.

Japan's Legislation for Peace and Security, which lifted the ban on collective self-defense, clearly stipulates that a "survival-threatening situation" refers to an armed attack against a foreign country with which Japan maintains a close relationship, said Zhao Hongwei, a professor at Tokyo-based Hosei University.

Noting that Taiwan is not a country and that the Japanese government has never recognized it as one, Zhao said that this provision of the 2015 security legislation does not apply to the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's status as part of China is enshrined in international law, said Yoichi Masuzoe, former governor of Tokyo and scholar of international politics, adding that any Japanese military intervention would be considered aggression.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Japan respects Taiwan's status as part of China, noting that the Taiwan question is a matter of China's internal affairs and that Japan should not intervene.

Yuki Izumikawa, a special research fellow at Okinawa University, said Takaichi's claim that her Taiwan remarks align with the Japanese government's longstanding view is at odds with the facts.

"I sincerely hope that Japanese politicians will review the solemn commitments Japan has made to the Chinese government over the past decades before speaking on the Taiwan question," Izumikawa said.

Takaichi's Taiwan remarks desecrate historical justice and repackage militarism, aiming to pave the way for Japan's future military expansion, said Kwon Ki-sik, head of the Korea-China City Friendship Association, adding that such political maneuvers are bound to face opposition from regional countries.

Grave consequences

Ichiro Ozawa, a member of the House of Representatives from the CDPJ, said Takaichi's speech has become a true "existence crisis," which ultimately forces great sacrifices on the people.

His concern is echoed widely in Japan and abroad -- Takaichi's rhetoric sends a dangerous signal, undermining regional peace and ultimately harming Japan itself.

Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, accused Takaichi of making remarks that push Taiwan to the brink of danger and reveal the lingering shadow of Japanese militarism.

Valery Kistanov, a Japan expert at the Russian Academy of Science, described Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan as "unprecedented," warning they could heighten regional tensions and risk triggering conflict.

Julia Roknifard, a senior lecturer at Taylor's University in Malaysia, urged Japan to focus on its domestic socio-economic challenges rather than becoming a source of instability in East Asia.

Domestically, Japanese officials and media have also voiced concern that Takaichi's remarks could harm Japan-China ties.

Japanese Communist Party and House of Councillors member Taku Yamazoe noted that Takaichi's remarks have escalated tensions between Japan and China, undermining bilateral trust.

Japanese newspaper Tokyo Shimbun published an editorial criticizing Takaichi's reckless and provocative remarks for stoking antagonism and harming the interests of both countries.

Ichiro Ozawa, a member of the House of Representatives from the CDPJ, said Takaichi's remarks could reduce bilateral trade and restrict people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Data shows that China is Japan's largest trading partner, the second-largest export destination and the biggest source of imports.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Chinese tourists ranked first in total spending in Japan in 2024.

If Japan-China relations deteriorate, it will be the Japanese people who suffer, warned Takakage Fujita, the secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, adding that Takaichi will bear responsibility for the consequences.