Editor's note: 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration. At such a historical standpoint, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi issued an absurd claim that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, stoking tensions in the Taiwan Strait to court domestic right-wing forces. She not only evades reflection on Japan's numerous crimes during its colonial rule over Taiwan but also casts history aside and replaces the pursuit of peace with the provocation of conflict. Her shameless political maneuvering and nauseatingly provocative stance are laid bare for all to see. In this context, CGTN launches a series of articles analyzing the deliberate historical amnesia and reckless provocations associated with segments of Japan's right-wing forces, with Takaichi as a prominent figure, in matters of history and regional security – so that history can truly serve as a warning to illuminate the present and caution the future.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has plunged the country into political and economic turbulence within weeks of taking office. As she doubled down on provocative rhetoric toward China, a growing chorus from Japan's political, economic and social sectors is asking a simple question: Has she considered the Japanese people at all?

Rallies erupted in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto against Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan and called on the government to halt efforts to revise Japan's constitution. The protests capture a broader national unease: it is ordinary citizens – not the prime minister – who will ultimately bear the cost of her dangerous gamble.

Political firestorm at home

Takaichi cited the so-called "survival-threatening situation" and linked it to Taiwan, suggesting Tokyo might treat Taiwan as grounds for military intervention. Her reckless rhetoric has triggered a wave of criticism from senior political figures at home.

Three former Japanese prime ministers spoke out publicly against her remarks.

In a post on social media platform X on Thursday, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama described Takaichi's parliamentary remarks earlier this month as going in the "wrong direction" and causing "immeasurable" damage to national interests. He referenced reports of Japanese hotels receiving mass cancellations from Chinese tourists. He urged Takaichi to correct the mistake by quoting Confucius: "When you have faults, do not fear to correct them."

Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called Takaichi's remarks "very close to claiming that a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency," adding that previous governments had consistently avoided making definitive declarations on how the government would respond to specific scenarios regarding Taiwan.

Yoshihiko Noda, another former prime minister, said that Takaichi "went too far," creating unnecessary tension in relations with China.

Even within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), grumbling is growing. According to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, Takaichi's own allies complained that she spoke "without considering the consequences." Senior party officials privately admitted Takaichi is now "reflecting" on her remarks and may not repeat similar statements.

Japan's opposition parties were even more direct.

Ichiro Ozawa, from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), sharply criticized Takaichi's remarks and urged Takaichi to recognize the gravity of a prime minister's words, which can determine the fate of the nation, and called on her to take the initiative to improve the worsening Japan-China relations. "You are the prime minister, and you must take responsibility for the nation and the lives of the people. You have to judge the situation carefully before you speak or act."

Kazuo Shii, chairman of the Japanese Communist Party and member of the House of Representatives, wrote on X on Wednesday that "the current escalation of tensions during the day is directly caused by the prime minister's remarks, which need to be retracted."

Miao Ji, a research fellow of the Institute of Asian Studies and Trilateral Cooperation Studies Center at China Foreign Affairs University, noted that Takaichi pledged to advance the strategic, mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries and build a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship, only to issue confrontational remarks days later. This inconsistency, he argued, reveals political immaturity and reflects the long-standing influence of Japan's right-wing forces.

With her political honeymoon period ending and China's countermeasures intensifying, a new political crisis for Takaichi's cabinet may be close, he said.

Political tensions spill over to the economy

Takaichi's provocative rhetoric has not remained confined to political circles. It has already begun to affect Japan's economy.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently advised Chinese citizens to avoid travel and study in Japan. Airlines began offering free cancellations for Japan-bound flights. On November 19, China officially suspended all imports of Japanese seafood products. These measures have triggered alarm across Japan.

Mainichi Shimbun reported that the loss of Chinese tourists – one of Japan's most important inbound groups – could deal a heavy blow to Japan's tourism sector. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, overseas visitors spent a record 6.92 trillion yen (about $44.6 billion) in Japan from January to September this year, with tourists from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong contributing about 30 percent of that.

Financial markets reacted immediately. Travel-related stocks, including retailers and transport operators, plunged on November 17, with some falling more than 10 percent. Shares in fisheries and agricultural sectors also dropped sharply.

Japan's opposition parties questioned the government on the impact of China's seafood suspension. Local governments such as Hokkaido held emergency meetings to address concerns from fisheries businesses.

Kazuya Yamazaki, president of the seafood processing company Maru Uroko Sanwa Suisan, voiced deep frustration during his interview with China Media Group. "Everything was moving forward, and now we are shut out. Because of one sentence from the prime minister, everything has turned upside down."

Japan had only just resumed limited seafood exports to China in early November – its first shipment since the Fukushima wastewater discharge. Now, even those goods have yet to clear customs.

Before the suspension, China accounted for 20 percent of Yamazaki's company's export market. "But honestly, I don't think we could go back to that level," said Yamazaki.

Economic analysts warn that if Takaichi continues her aggressive approach, Japan's fragile post-pandemic recovery could be further weakened. Many ordinary Japanese share this concern.

Online comments reflect rising anger: "We need social welfare, not more military spending."

Miao emphasized that Japan's increasingly politicized China policy is already hurting bilateral economic cooperation and eroding Japanese corporate confidence. Even if Takaichi softens her tone, the economic damage is already done, the expert pointed out. With further Chinese countermeasures possible and growing Japanese domestic public dissatisfaction, support for Takaichi may sharply decline, he added.