Japanese scholars, officials slam Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan

Japanese experts and officials have slammed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous and provocative remarks on China's Taiwan region, raising concerns over Japan's shift toward military expansion.

Akira Maeda, a professor at Tokyo Zokei University, said Takaichi's remarks violate the principles of the UN Charter, constitute a blatant provocation, undermine the international order in East Asia and go against international cooperation.

He added that her remarks not only damage the political foundation of China-Japan relations, but also undermine Japan's pacifist principles enshrined in its constitution, posing a serious diplomatic risk.

Speaking on Japan's national identity, Maeda said the country's post-war identity, centered on pacifism and economic development, is undergoing a fundamental shift, and its move toward military expansion is deepening its own crisis.

He pointed out that despite long-term fiscal strain, rising prices and a weakening yen, the Takaichi administration has significantly increased the country's defense budget and used national debt to support spending, exacerbating financial pressure on social security and people's livelihoods.

In recent years, Japan's Ministry of Defense has intensified outreach to teenagers and children, distributing children's versions of the Defense White Paper to elementary schools. Japanese scholars noted that such practices not only challenge the principle of neutrality in education but may also profoundly influence how Japan's next generation perceives history and neighboring countries.

In a series of posts on social media platform X, Ichiro Ozawa, a member of the House of Representatives from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, criticized Takaichi's remarks on political donations and also condemned Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Taro Aso's support for her comments on Taiwan.

"Sophistry, lies, and excuses – that's the true picture of the LDP's rule over the past 13 years," Ozawa said. "As long as the LDP is in power, it doesn't matter who the prime minister is. If the public remains oblivious, nothing will change in this country."

Citing a report on Chinese and Russian officials emphasizing the need to "resolutely counter the resurgence of Japanese militarism" during a meeting, Ozawa said that if Takaichi provokes trouble and allows it to escalate, it could worsen Japan's security environment.