In under a month in office, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has thrown Japan's regional diplomacy into disarray, reignited old grievances in Asia, and sparked concern with policies that echo some of the most disquieting tendencies in Japan's modern political past.

At a Diet meeting on November 7, Takaichi claimed that a Taiwan emergency involving the use of military vessels and military force from the Chinese mainland could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. According to legislation, Japan's Self-Defense Forces could exercise the right of collective self-defense if such a situation is recognized as "survival-threatening."

Takaichi later insisted that her remarks were in line with the government's longstanding view and she had no intention to retract the remarks.

Her remarks have sparked strong opposition and clear warnings from Chinese authorities, stressing that those remarks constituted blatant interference in China's internal affairs, seriously violated the one-China principle, undermined the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and breached the basic norms of international relations.

On November 10, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed firm opposition to Takaichi's erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan and had lodged stern representations with Japan. Spokesperson Lin Jian said Taiwan belongs to China, and how to resolve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification is purely China's internal affairs and brooks no interference from external forces.

On November 12, China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office expressed "strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to her egregious remarks. "Should anyone attempt to challenge China's core interests and obstruct China's reunification, the Chinese government, Chinese people and Chinese military will never accept it and never tolerate it," spokesperson Chen Binhua said.

On November 13, the Chinese Foreign Ministry once again urged Japan to immediately correct and retract its provocative remarks related to Taiwan, otherwise, all the consequences shall be borne by Japan. "Should Japan dare to resort to force and intervene in the Taiwan Strait, that would constitute an act of aggression. China will meet it with resolute counteractions," spokesperson Lin said.

"Our message to Japan is clear: Japan must fully repent for its war crimes, immediately stop its wrong and provocative statements and moves that interfere in China's internal affairs, and stop playing with fire on the Taiwan question," he said.

On November 14, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi to lodge serious demarches over Takaichi's remarks. Sun stressed that the Taiwan question lies at the core of China's core interests and is an untouchable red line and bottom line. He reiterated that Taiwan is China's sacred territory, and how to resolve the Taiwan question is for the Chinese people alone to decide, with no interference by any external force.

On the same day, China's Ministry of National Defense warned the Japanese side of a "crushing defeat" should it dare to take a risk on the Taiwan question. The remarks have challenged the post-War international order and sent very wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, spokesperson Jiang Bin said during a press briefing. "Should the Japanese side fail to draw lessons from history and dare to take a risk, or even use force to interfere in the Taiwan question, it will only suffer a crushing defeat against the steel-willed People's Liberation Army and pay a heavy price," Jiang added.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao met Japan's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi on the same day to lodge solemn representations and a formal protest over those remarks. Takaichi administration's clamor for military intervention in the Taiwan Strait is a blatant challenge to China's core interests. It is actively tying Japan to the chariot to divide China, and will ultimately lead Japan to a dead end, said the ambassador.

On November 16, a China Coast Guard (CCG) fleet patrolled the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao. The patrol was carried out to safeguard China's rights in accordance with the law, according to a CCG statement.

Meanwhile, various Chinese authorities have issued alerts and advisories, urging citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan for the time being.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, along with Chinese embassies and consulates in Japan, on Friday advised Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future, citing a deteriorating security environment and a rise in cases targeting Chinese nationals.

In response, China's multiple airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Xiamen Airlines, have introduced free change and refund policies for Japan-bound flights.

China's Ministry of Education released an overseas study alert on Sunday, urging Chinese students currently in Japan or planning to study there soon to assess risks carefully, take necessary precautions, and plan their studies prudently.

The ministry said that safety risks for Chinese citizens in Japan have risen, citing Japan's recent poor public security, a surge in crimes targeting Chinese citizens, and the overall unfavorable study environment.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism also issued a notice on Sunday urging Chinese tourists to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future, noting that those who have already been in Japan should closely monitor the local security situation.

Read more:

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