Former Japanese Prime Ministers Criticize Sanae Takaichi's Erroneous Remarks

Former Japanese Prime Ministers Shigeru Ishiba, Yoshihiko Noda, and Yukio Hatoyama have separately criticized current Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan made in the Diet, which have caused tensions in Japan-China relations. They urged her to exercise caution in her words and actions and to promote improved relations through dialogue.

On the 23rd, in a television program, Shigeru Ishiba stated that since former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka's visit to China in 1972 promoted the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations, "successive Japanese governments have always been 'cautious, cautious, and more cautious' when handling Japan-China relations." He emphasized that the current government should fully recognize Japan's long-standing fundamental stance and remain prudent in future policy advancement.

On the same day, during a media interview in Tottori Prefecture, Yoshihiko Noda pointed out that the current tensions in Japan-China relations "stem from Prime Minister Takaichi's reckless remarks." He stressed that Takaichi needs to provide an explanation to China and work to improve relations through dialogue.

Furthermore, Yukio Hatoyama recently posted on social platform X, stating that Takaichi's deviation from the position that "the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair" has sharply deteriorated Japan-China relations, and the damage caused to the country is incalculable. Quoting the famous saying from the Analects of Confucius, "Having faults and not correcting them, this is indeed to have faults," he urged Takaichi to correct her erroneous stance as soon as possible.

On the 7th of this month, during a Diet response, Takaichi claimed that "a Taiwan contingency" could constitute an "existential crisis situation" where Japan might exercise the right to collective self-defense. These remarks immediately drew strong criticism from legal scholars, anti-war organizations, and opposition parties. Japanese public opinion pointed out that Takaichi's remarks violate the commitments made by the Japanese government in the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communiqué and are clearly inconsistent with Japan's long-term diplomatic policy towards China, which is bound to cause unnecessary tensions in the regional situation.