2026 POLLS: Takaichi’s Remarks on Diplomacy, Security Cause Repercussions

Tokyo, Jan. 30 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on diplomacy and security are causing repercussions ahead of the Feb. 8 general election in the country. In a television debate on Monday, Takaichi mentioned a Taiwan contingency once again. “If something serious occurs in Taiwan, we must go and rescue Japanese and U.S. citizens,” she said. “If the U.S. military operating with us is attacked and Japan does nothing and runs away, the Japan-U.S. alliance would collapse.” Last November, the prime minister provoked a fierce backlash from China when she said at a parliamentary meeting that a Taiwan contingency could be a so-called survival-threatening situation for Japan, in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. China took apparent retaliatory measures, including suspending imports of Japanese fishery products again. Takaichi later said that she would refrain from commenting on specific cases. Nevertheless, she again mentioned a specific case involving Taiwan again during Monday’s television debate. She may have been unable to withhold her true opinion after being strongly urged by an opposition party leader to retract her remarks. Beijing quickly responded to the latest remarks by Takaichi. At a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that Japan is in no position to meddle with affairs related to Taiwan. Guo argued that Takaichi’s remarks exposed the ambitions of Japan’s right wing to incite conflict, remilitarize the country and challenge the international order forged after World War II. During the same television debate, Takaichi referred to North Korea as a nuclear power, although the Japanese government does not recognize that the country possesses nuclear weapons. The following day, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato explained at a press conference that the prime minister intended to highlight North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and missile development. Meanwhile, Takaichi said in a campaign speech in the northern city of Sapporo on Wednesday that she will not tolerate foreigners continuing to buy Japanese land, while the government has not yet drawn up related regulations. “She needs to be careful when speaking to voters,” said a source at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]