Takaichi‘s reckless moves endanger regional stability
Editor's note: Lu Hao, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is dean of the Strategic Studies Department of the Institute of Japanese Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday, clarifying the Chinese government's position on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks concerning China. In his letter, Fu stated that Takaichi made provocative remarks about Taiwan during a parliamentary debate. This marks the first time since Japan's defeat in 1945 that a Japanese leader has formally advocated "A Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency," linking it to the exercise of collective self-defense, expressing ambitions for armed intervention on the Taiwan question, and issuing a military threat against China, thus challenging China's core interests.
Her remarks openly challenge the justice of the international order and the bilateral political commitments between China and Japan, while severely undermining regional peace and stability. Particularly shortly before making that remark, Takaichi had pledged in her policy address and during her meeting with Chinese top leaders that she would regard China as an important neighboring country and work with the Chinese side to advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit. Such contradictory and duplicitous remarks inevitably make people question whether she possesses the most basic political integrity.
China-Japan relations have once again entered a tense phase due to Takaichi's reckless remarks, seriously undermining the progress and achievements in improving ties. Meanwhile, Japan's other neighboring countries in Northeast Asia – Russia, the DPRK and the ROK – have also openly criticized the controversial policies of the Takaichi administration.
Maria Zakharova, Spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in Moscow on November 18 that Takaichi's remarks concerning Taiwan are extremely dangerous. She emphasized that Japan should conduct an in-depth reflection on its history and be alert to the severe consequences that such erroneous words and deeds may trigger. Shortly after taking office, Takaichi plunged Japan's neighborhood diplomacy into an all-round predicament.
Takaichi's remarks concerning Taiwan are neither a personal act nor an isolated incident. In fact, in recent years, driven by narrow strategic concepts and demands for political self-interest, conservative and right-wing forces in Japan have been leading the country's national strategy astray through political manipulation and public opinion coercion. Facing China, they cling stubbornly to a confrontational mindset and use Taiwan as a bargaining chip to "ally with the United States to contain China."
The instability in the Taiwan Straits stems largely from such interference by external forces, and Japan has played a disgraceful role as a troublemaker. If Japan refuses to change course and instead insists on abetting separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence," it will not only push Taiwan to the brink of danger but also bring disaster upon itself.
Meanwhile, the Takaichi administration is promoting a substantial increase in defense budgets, seeking a full lifting of the ban on weapons exports, and revising the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. Those moves further weaken Japan's pacifist Constitution and the exclusive defense-oriented principle. Japan's military expansion is making it a new source of regional security tensions, arms races and bloc confrontations, triggering concerns among neighboring countries about Japan's "strategic out of control."
In fact, Takaichi's radical policies have begun to backfire. Some Japanese research institutes have noted that deteriorating China-Japan relations have hindered personnel exchanges and trade, which will drag down Japan's economic recovery. The stock prices of Japanese companies that rely on overseas markets, such as China, have plummeted.
Regarding national foreign and defense policies, public opinion in Japan has become sharply divided. Many people criticize the government's words and deeds as "reckless and dangerous." Some Japanese government officials stated that Asian neighbors are the foundation of Japan's diplomacy, and they hope that Japanese leaders will understand that the basic principle of diplomacy is to be cautious in words and deeds – "a catastrophic statement is enough to destroy years of diplomatic efforts."
The reckless moves of Japanese political leaders can neither shake the international consensus on the one-China principle nor stop the historical trend of peace and development in East Asia. History and reality have repeatedly proven that East Asia has formed a close community of shared interests, and the trend of multilateral cooperation is irresistible.
Peace and development are the aspirations of all countries and the well-being of their peoples. Suppose Japan insists on pursuing a strategic path of power politics and brutal confrontation. In that case, it will only further deepen a vicious circle of diplomatic isolation, economic recession and damaged livelihoods.
Only by respecting historical facts, assuming political responsibility, abandoning a confrontational mindset and truly fulfilling the consensus on "strategic mutual benefit" can Japan bring its relations with China back on track. Only by truly upholding the diplomatic spirit of rationality, inclusiveness, consultation and cooperation can Japan gain the understanding and acceptance of its neighbors.
On the contrary, any political gambling and diplomatic adventures lacking strategic foresight and going against the trend of the times are destined to fail the test of history and will inevitably face severe punishment from reality.