Domestic, international backlash grows over Takaichi's Taiwan remarks

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing mounting backlash at home and abroad after making a series of erroneous remarks concerning China's Taiwan region. The comments, widely seen as escalating tensions and interfering in China's internal affairs, have sparked large-scale protests in Tokyo and drawn sharp criticism from international experts.

On Saturday, hundreds of Japanese citizens gathered in Tokyo's Shinjuku District, staging a demonstration demanding that Takaichi retract her statements.

Protesters marched with banners and chanted slogans such as "No to war" and "Overthrow Takaichi." Many accused Takaichi of deliberately stirring hostility towards China and pushing Japan towards conflict.

Several demonstrators directly condemned what they saw as a de facto "declaration of war." One protester said she was "completely unable to tolerate" Takaichi's rhetoric, arguing that it falsely portrays China as an enemy and signals preparations for military confrontation. Another accused Takaichi of intentionally ignoring the long-standing consensus established since the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties in 1972, comparing her actions to historical incidents that paved the way for Japan's past wars of aggression.

Some protesters linked Takaichi's stance to the revival of pre-war ideology, warning that her rhetoric echoes the expansionist mindset of the imperial era. They expressed alarm that Japan might again be drifting towards nuclear armament, abandoning the post-war principles that have underpinned decades of peace.

Others emphasized that the so-called Taiwan contingency claim constitutes interference in China's domestic affairs and serves as a pretext for aggression. Several speakers underscored that the unresolved cross-Strait situation is rooted in Japan's own historical actions. Many concluded that preventing a slide toward militarism required not merely a retraction, but the removal of the Takaichi administration.

Takaichi's remarks have also sparked concern among the international community, with experts warning that Japan is undermining regional stability and violating basic norms of international relations.

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), Houmed M'Saidie, political advisor to the president of Comoros, said the comments represent a crude interference in China's internal affairs and challenge fundamental principles of international law. He stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, a position "widely recognized by the international community and upheld by all countries that have established diplomatic relations with Beijing."

He warned that Japan's deviation from its long-held commitments risks heightening tensions in a region that depends on dialogue and stability. Japan's expanding military posture, he added, raises serious questions about the direction of its foreign policy and recalls "painful lessons of history." He urged Japan to honor the political commitments made by previous leaders.

Paul Zilungisele Tembe, founder and director of the SELE Encounters Cross-Civilization platform and research center in South Africa, offered a similar assessment. He said Japan's behavior can be accurately described as "provocation," "infringement" and "interference" during an interview with CGTN.

Speaking on behalf of broader African perspectives, Tembe reaffirmed unwavering support for the one-China principle. He explained that such provocations must be viewed not only in the context of current events, but through a long-term lens.

"Even ten, twenty, or fifty years from now, regardless of how similar provocations may appear, our position of supporting one-China will remain unchanged," he added.

Nikolai Buzin, chairman of the Standing Commission on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, warned that Japan is "throwing historical lessons behind" and showing no remorse for past wartime atrocities.

"In my view, Japan appears to be stepping once again onto the path of militarism," Buzin said during an interview with CMG.

He stressed that under the current international circumstances, the global community must stand united and firmly condemn any signs of Nazism or militarism on all available international platforms. "We must work together. We cannot allow fascism or militarism to rise again."

Imram Makama, head of the South African Division of Africa's Young Entrepreneurs, said that Takaichi's remarks disregard the commitments Japan made after World War II, a trend he described as "deeply worrying," especially for younger generations.

Makama emphasized that the post-war international order has provided the world with decades of stability and development, and that any rhetoric carrying militaristic or provocative overtones must be taken seriously.

He added that Takaichi's remarks should be withdrawn immediately.