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FM says Takaichi's latest Taiwan remarks 'certainly unacceptable'; experts warn PM's move a 'strategic deception'

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Dec 04, 2025 04:07 PM

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taro Aso on Wednesday openly voiced support for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, prompting criticism within Japan. Also on Wednesday, when pressed by a Komeito lawmaker, Takaichi said at a plenary session of the House of Councillors that Japan's fundamental position on Taiwan is as stated in the Japan-China Joint Statement and this position has not changed, according to the Mainichi Shimbun report. However, she did not offer any explanation of what exactly "has not changed," nor did she retract the erroneous remarks on the Taiwan question that had already triggered strong backlash both domestically and internationally.

Some Chinese experts reached by the Global Times said on Thursday that Takaichi attempted to muddle through by feigning a softened stance, a strategic deceptive move that further exposes the hypocrisy of some Japanese politicians. Aso's public support of her also shows that some senior figures within the LDP remain intent on steering Japan onto a dangerous and misguided course.

In response to media inquiry over Takaichi on Wednesday cited the China-Japanese Joint Statement at a plenary session of the House of Councillors, saying that she "understands and respects" the Chinese government's position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that, The reports have been proved to be inaccurate. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi merely said that "the Japanese government's basic position regarding Taiwan remains as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, and there has been no change to this position," and nothing more.

Lin noted that China's stance is very clear: We urge the Japanese side to reflect on and correct its wrongdoing, and retract Prime Minister Takaichi's erroneous remarks. This is an issue of principle. The facts and Japan's commitments are written down in black and white in historical records. We've been asking the Japanese side the same questions for days and still haven't received an answer. Many have also criticized Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks in and outside Japan. "No change to the position" is far from adequate and certainly unacceptable as a response to China.

"If the Japanese side's fundamental position on Taiwan is indeed as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, can Prime Minister Takaichi accurately and fully articulate that position? Why is the Japanese side unwilling to clearly state the commitments it has made and its legal obligations? What is the logic and motive driving this attitude? The Japanese side owes China and the international community an explanation," Lin asked.

According to Kyodo News report, Aso expressed his support to Takaichi's Diet remarks on the Taiwan question at a meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday evening. Some Japanese media reported his remarks, which have drawn criticism among Japanese politicians and netizens.

Japanese Communist Party (JCP) lawmaker and House of Councillors member Taku Yamazoe said on X that, if Aso cannot recognize that Takaichi's remarks on "Taiwan contingency" has already become an international issue and is affecting people-to-people exchanges and economic relations, then Japan's politics and economy — and even the peace and stability of East Asia — simply cannot be entrusted to someone like him.

Also, Ichiro Ozawa, a House of Representatives member from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said on his X account on Thursday, sharply criticizing Aso's remarks. Ozawa wrote, "It is always the young and ordinary citizens who become the victims of foolish politics. Does the arrogant and conceited Liberal Democratic Party have any awareness of this?"

Under Jiji Press' report on Aso's remarks, some netizens also expressed their criticism on Aso in Japanese language. A netizen "@toracyan06" suggested that Aso should get retired, saying he appears utterly unconcerned about Japan's future. Another netizen "@Isabella-Dori"said Aso is nothing but 100% harmful to the country and the people.

The support of Aso, a heavyweight in the LDP's right-wing bloc and a close ally of Takaichi, exposed that the right-wing frictions of Japanese politics are driving Japan down an increasingly dangerous and misguided path, Lü Chao, director of the Institute of American and East Asian Studies at Liaoning University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

According to Kyodo News, Aso had claimed in January 2024 that a Taiwan contingency could lead the Japanese government to determine that it constitutes a "situation threatening Japan's survival," allowing the exercise of collective self-defense.

In a political environment where Japan is drifting further to the right and conservatives dominate the LDP, Aso's rhetoric—and the indulgence shown toward Takaichi—will only embolden her risky behavior and strengthen the hardline anti-China current within conservative circles, warned Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences.

Takaichi is up to its old tricks again, playing the game of "unchanged stance" and this is strategic deception, said Lian Degui, director of the Center for Japanese Studies at Shanghai International Studies University.

At the plenary session of the House of Councillors on Wednesday, Shinji Takeuchi of the Komeito Party raised concerns about the implications of the Japanese Prime Minister's previous Diet remarks that a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. According to Japanese media reports, Takeuchi also noted that Takaichi's remarks have caused widespread impacts including on the country's tourism industry.

He stressed that Japan must respond with a calm and consistent stance and prevent any further escalation, the Mainichi Shimbun report said.

Noting that the Japan-China Joint Statement defines Taiwan's status as "an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China, and Japan fully understands and respects the position of the Government of the People's Republic of China," Takeuchi further asked Takaichi to clarify whether it is correct to understand that the Japanese government's position on Taiwan remains entirely unchanged as stipulated in the Japan-China Joint Statement.

In response, Takaichi said that Japan's fundamental position on Taiwan is as stated in the Japan-China Joint Statement and this position has not changed, according to the report.

However, video recordings of Wednesday's Diet session released by some Japanese media outlets show that Takaichi herself simply said that the government's stance is "as stated" in the Joint Statement — without restating its contents.

Takaichi's remarks are more of a play on words, Lian said. Takaichi has already crossed the line by claiming that a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. Now, simply stating that "Japan's position on Taiwan has not changed" rather than formally retracting her words is naive, the expert said.

Facing waves of domestic and international criticism, Takaichi may wish to use such superficial wording to deflect blame. She clearly has yet to realize how her words have jeopardized China-Japan relations and fueled anxiety within the international community regarding the revival of Japan's militarism, Lian said.

As long as Takaichi refuses to withdraw her remarks, none of Japan's superficial gestures trying to downplay the issue will have any real effect. By glossing over what happened since November 7, Tokyo is still dodging the core issue — retracting Takaichi's remarks, Lü said.