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Beware of dangerous shift in Japan's strategic direction: People's Daily 'Zhong Sheng' commentary

Global Times

By People's Daily Published: Nov 17, 2025 11:21 AM

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan exposed Japan's right-wing forces' extremely wrong and dangerous views on history, order, and strategy, toward which the international community, especially Asian countries, must remain vigilant about Japan's strategic direction.

Recently, Takaichi openly declared in the Diet that a "Taiwan emergency" could constitute a ""survival-threatening situation" for Japan, suggesting the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Straits. These aggressive remarks, which flagrantly interfere in China's internal affairs and openly challenge the post-WWII international order, have caused a global uproar and strong indignation among justice-minded individuals. However, Takaichi remains unrepentant, refusing to retract her erroneous statements. This exposes the extremely dangerous and misguided views on history, order and strategy held by Japan's right-wing forces. The international community, especially Asian countries, must remain highly alert to Japan's strategic trajectory.

Takaichi's wrong remarks on Taiwan question are akin to invoking the spirit of militarism. The rhetoric of "a Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan" is a dangerous narrative circulating within Japanese political circles, attempting to link China's national reunification with Japan's security concerns. Less than a month into her tenure, Takaichi has become the first sitting Japanese prime minister to openly advocate for this dangerous position, connecting it to the potential exercise of collective self-defense. This highlights the dangerous direction of her domestic and foreign policies. Historically, Japan's militarism has often used the so-called existential crisis as a pretext for external aggression, including justifying the September 18 Incident and provoking the war of aggression against China, which brought tremendous suffering to Asia and the world. Takaichi's recent use of "existential crisis" as a justification provides ample cause for concern that Japan may be repeating the mistakes of its militaristic past.

Takaichi's reckless remarks are a blatant provocation to historical justice. Japan bears deep historical responsibility on the Taiwan question. After the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan forcibly seized Taiwan and imposed colonial rule for half a century, committing countless atrocities. In 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender and formally accepted international legal documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, which stipulated that Taiwan should be returned to China. China subsequently regained Taiwan, restoring its sovereignty over the territory. This was a triumph of historical justice. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration. Rather than reflecting on its past, Japan has continued to create new tensions over Taiwan. This interference in China's internal affairs and provocative actions severely undermine the political foundation of China-Japan relations and challenge the post-WWII international order.

The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, and it is an inviolable red line and bottom line. The question of how to resolve Taiwan and achieve national reunification is a matter for the Chinese people alone, and no external force has the right to interfere. Eighty years ago, the brave Chinese people defeated the Japanese invaders. Today, 80 years later, the determination of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. Our will is unbreakable, and our capabilities are far stronger than before. Any attempt to interfere with or obstruct China's reunification efforts is doomed to failure. We warn Japan that any provocation on the Taiwan question is simply courting trouble!

Japan's militaristic history is a heavy burden, and the peoples of the world, including the Chinese people, will never forget, nor will they ever forgive it. For the first time, Japan's leaders have expressed an ambition to militarily intervene in Taiwan, issuing a threat of force against China. Behind this lies the dangerous ambition of Japan's right-wing forces to break free from the constraints of its pacifist constitution and pursue the status of a "military power."

In recent years, Japan has dramatically adjusted its security policies, significantly increased its defense budget, relaxed restrictions on arms exports, and sought to develop offensive weapons, accelerating down the path of militarization. Despite self-labeling as a "peaceful nation" and advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons, Takaichi's administration has been ambiguous in its stance on Japan's "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," even suggesting the possibility of abandoning them. Senior Japanese officials have even stated that Japan will not rule out introducing nuclear-powered submarines. These signals indicate a significant negative shift in Japan's policies.

On the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat and surrender, Takaichi's dangerous remarks, which touch on sensitive nerves, are not only strategically reckless but also intentionally provocative. The peoples of the world, including the Chinese people, must be prepared to firmly defend peace and justice!