Japan PM Sanae Takaichi suggested a China attack on Taiwan could be an ‘existential threat,’ shattering strategic ambiguity. This has triggered China’s furious UN protest, economic threats, and missile deployment near Yonaguni Island.
Japan PM Takaichi Taiwan Intervention Policy Shift China Feud
The relationship between Tokyo and Beijing has plunged into one of its most serious diplomatic crises in recent history, driven by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments regarding a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Speaking on November 7, PM Takaichi stated that a Chinese attack, naval blockade, or other military action against the self-governed island of Taiwan.
Despite the mounting pressure, including the absence of a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the recent G20 summit, Prime Minister Takaichi has refused to retract her comments. This intransigence is reinforced by public sentiment, with recent polls showing a majority of the Japanese public supporting the government’s stance on the issue.
Tokyo is engaged in diplomatic de-escalation efforts, with officials meeting their Chinese counterparts to assure Beijing that Japan’s long-standing policy regarding the Taiwan issue remains unchanged. However, Takaichi’s explicit language has fundamentally altered the security conversation in the Asia-Pacific. The ongoing crisis underscores the highly volatile security environment surrounding the Taiwan Strait, a critical nexus point for global stability.
