Japan won't dare to upend its relations with China

Editor's note: CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.

True strength never needs to prove itself. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi carries many labels — "Japan's first female prime minister," "Iron Lady 2.0," and "heavy metal enthusiast." But stripped of all the fanfare, what we see is not iron-fisted power, but empty bravado. When she talks about the Taiwan question, she's really weighing her domestic approval rating. She talks tough on China, but her own power is crumbling. Let's not forget: This is 2025, not 1931. China today tolerates no provocation or threats. Sanae Takaichi is not the chess player on the board — she is a politician trapped by Japan's soaring prices, public anxiety and political infighting, a leader with no real power base. All that's left to her is posture, not strength.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)