Takaichi's stubbornness: A threat to Japan's economic stability

Editor's Note: Zhou Jianjun, assistant researcher at the Institute of State System Research and School of Economics, Zhejiang University. The article reflects the author's views, and not necessarily those of CGTN. It has been translated from Chinese and edited for brevity and clarity.

Following her election as Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has repeatedly made erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan, testing the red lines and bottom lines of China's territorial sovereignty. These statements have triggered a storm of controversy in the international community. 

The Chinese government has lodged stern protests, and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong has summoned the Japanese ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, making serious démarches over Takaichi's erroneous remarks regarding China.

Taiwan is China's sacred territory. The one-China principle constitutes a red line and bottom line that must not be crossed. 

Since ancient times, Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China's territory. Both the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation unequivocally affirmed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. Countries around the world, including Western nations, have recognized Taiwan's legal status as part of China through various forms. 

The one-China principle is the primary prerequisite for any country to establish friendly relations with China. It is a broad international consensus and a norm of international relations affirmed by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. Any country that refuses to recognize the one-China principle will be met with resolute countermeasures. China will defend its territorial sovereignty by any means necessary.

Right-wing forces and militarism in Japan have grown increasingly arrogant, repeatedly taking actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

After its defeat in World War II, Japan has never truly reflected on its wrongdoing; instead, it has sought in various ways to obscure its crimes, glorify its wartime past, and revive militarist ideology. Japan's right-wing forces have steadily expanded, and the resurgence of militarism has become ever more pronounced. 

As early as 1995, when she served as a member of parliament, Takaichi publicly challenged then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in the Diet, opposing his acknowledgement that Japan's war of aggression was wrong. 

In 2002, she published an article attacking the "Murayama Statement," which recognized Japan's history of invasion, and openly distorted the historical facts of Japan's aggression. During her tenure as a cabinet minister, she repeatedly visited Yasukuni Shrine, denied the Nanjing Massacre, and propagated the so-called "China threat theory." 

Since assuming office as prime minister, Takaichi has further escalated her provocations, breaching the bottom line of China-Japan relations. She has also implied possible Japanese military involvement in the Taiwan Strait. A series of actions she has taken since taking office reflect this mindset, including sharply increasing military expenditure, pushing to lift restrictions on exporting lethal weapons, and seeking capabilities for pre-emptive strikes. 

If Takaichi fails to retract her erroneous statements promptly, Japan's economy will undoubtedly bear the brunt. 

Her remarks have sparked an uproar in Japan, with the public criticizing her as unfit to serve as prime minister. 

The Nikkei 225 Index entered a correction phase in November and plunged 3.22 percent on Tuesday, with the share prices of several well-known corporations experiencing nosedives. Moreover, as markets fear a deterioration in China-Japan relations, Japanese government bonds have been dumped by investors, and the yen has fallen sharply against both the US dollar and the euro. 

Given the deteriorating security environment for Chinese citizens in Japan as well as recent provocative remarks made by the Japanese leader, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture and Tourism have both advised Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, which will deal a heavy blow to Japan's tourism revenue. 

As an economy highly dependent on international markets, Japan relies on sound diplomatic relations to maintain economic stability. If Takaichi refuses to pull back from the brink and promptly withdraw her erroneous statements, Japan's economy will inevitably bear the brunt and descend into an irreversible downward spiral.