Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s inaugural female prime minister, is navigating a diplomatic crisis as friction between Tokyo and Beijing intensifies regarding Taiwan. What commenced as a reserved exchange of greetings has rapidly escalated into one of the most acute standoffs between the two Asian nations in recent memory.
Escalating friction between Tokyo and Beijing
Just a month into her tenure, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is embroiled in a significant global disagreement. Merely days following her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the relationship between Japan and China has sharply declined, exacerbated by strong language and nationalistic passion. The immediate origin of this discord arises from Takaichi’s statements concerning Taiwan, which Beijing considers a fundamental national concern and an integral component of its land.
During a legislative assembly on November 7, Takaichi declared that any potential Chinese aggression against Taiwan—situated a brief distance from Japanese territory—would be regarded as “a situation jeopardizing Japan’s existence.” Her remarks indicated that such an occurrence might trigger a defensive military reaction from Tokyo. This change represented a significant deviation from earlier Japanese governments, which had historically refrained from suggesting direct military participation in Taiwan’s protection.
Beijing reacted with fury, denouncing Takaichi’s remarks as a grave interference in China’s internal affairs. The response was not limited to diplomatic statements. Xue Jian, the Chinese consul general in Osaka, published a post on X (formerly Twitter) declaring, “The dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off.” The post, quickly deleted, was condemned by Tokyo as “extremely inappropriate,” while Taiwan described it as a direct threat.
China’s Foreign Ministry defended Xue, asserting that his comments reflected a reaction to Japan’s “dangerous and erroneous” statements. Officials accused Tokyo of undermining China’s sovereignty and warned that the issue of Taiwan remains a non-negotiable red line.
Echoes of “wolf warrior” diplomacy
The incident has brought back recollections of China’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy, an assertive foreign policy approach that rose to prominence in the early 2020s. During that period, Chinese diplomats frequently utilized social media platforms to directly challenge detractors, occasionally employing provocative language. While Beijing had recently attempted to moderate this strategy to restore confidence with Western countries, the current dispute suggests a potential reversion to that confrontational stance.
Within China, nationalist sentiment and state-controlled media have intensified public indignation towards Japan. The People’s Daily, the primary publication of the Communist Party, characterized Takaichi as “irresponsible” and cautioned that “overstepping the boundary on Taiwan will incur consequences.” An account linked to China’s state television ridiculed her, inquiring, “Has she been hit in the head by a donkey?” Concurrently, Hu Xijin, a notable pundit and former editor of the Global Times, further inflamed the discourse, stating that China’s “weapon for decapitating invaders has been honed” and implying Japan would face ruin if it meddled in the Taiwan Strait.
Takaichi has since tried to downplay the situation, clarifying that her statements were hypothetical and not intended as a policy declaration. Yet her position remains precarious. Japan depends heavily on China as its largest trading partner, even as it grows increasingly wary of Beijing’s military expansion in the East and South China Seas. Balancing national security concerns with economic interdependence has become one of Takaichi’s greatest challenges.
A nuanced diplomatic equilibrium
Takaichi’s methodology mirrors her enduring conservative perspective on national security. As a protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she has championed a more robust military stance and enhanced collaboration with the United States and its regional partners. Initial declarations from her administration concerning Taiwan, alongside her engagement with the island’s delegates at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, indicated a sustained progression in Japan’s move towards a more confident foreign policy.
During her late October meeting with Xi Jinping in South Korea, Takaichi underscored the significance of a “strategic, mutually beneficial relationship.” Nevertheless, she also voiced apprehension regarding China’s military exercises close to contested islands in the East China Sea—a region both countries assert ownership over. That conversation, while appearing amicable at the time, hinted at the more profound discord now emerging.
The ongoing diplomatic dispute arises at a notably delicate juncture. This year commemorates the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion—a conflict that persistently influences both Chinese and Japanese national identities. Beijing observed this occasion with an extensive military procession, displaying its military might and reinforcing its historical account of opposition to Japanese aggression.
In anticipation of the commemoration, Chinese authorities charged Japan with downplaying its wartime cruelties, concurrently, state-controlled media broadcast numerous films portraying the savagery of Japanese troops during the conflict, featuring reenactments of the Nanjing Massacre. The Japanese embassy in Beijing went so far as to recommend its nationals converse quietly in public, apprehensive of possible animosity amidst escalating nationalist sentiment.
Taiwan’s historical legacy
The historical animosity between the two nations extends beyond World War II, intertwining with the complex history of Taiwan itself. Once under Japanese colonial rule following its cession by Imperial China in the late 19th century, Taiwan remained a Japanese possession until Tokyo’s defeat in 1945. Afterward, China’s Nationalist government took control of the island, only to retreat there after losing the civil war to the Communists in 1949.
Since that time, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has viewed Taiwan as a renegade territory slated for eventual reintegration. From Beijing’s standpoint, the end of World War II signified the island’s “emancipation” from Japanese rule—a story deeply embedded in the country’s political self-perception. Chinese authorities frequently reference this historical context to bolster their sovereignty assertions and legitimize their resistance to external interference in matters concerning Taiwan.
When asked about Takaichi’s remarks, Chen Binhua, the spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, invoked this common history, stating that Japan carries a “historical burden” for its colonial governance of Taiwan. He proclaimed that China had “reclaimed” the island eight decades prior and cautioned that any endeavor to impede reunification would encounter resolute opposition.
The uncertain path ahead
The current diplomatic crisis highlights the enduring volatility of East Asian geopolitics. Japan’s growing security cooperation with the United States and its increased defense spending have already drawn Beijing’s scrutiny. Now, under Takaichi’s leadership, Tokyo appears willing to adopt a more outspoken stance on regional security, particularly regarding Taiwan’s stability.
For China, the issue transcends mere diplomacy—it touches on national identity and sovereignty. As such, even a hypothetical suggestion of Japanese military involvement in Taiwan is perceived as a direct provocation.
While both administrations might eventually aim to reduce friction, this event highlights the delicate equilibrium that persists between two of Asia’s most formidable countries. Every miscalculation carries the potential to rekindle past animosities that never completely vanished over time.
In this atmosphere of mistrust and historical resentment, every word carries weight. For Takaichi, whose tenure has barely begun, the challenge lies in navigating Japan’s role between deterrence and diplomacy—maintaining peace while standing firm on national interests. Whether she can achieve that balance without deepening the rift with China will likely define not only her leadership but also the trajectory of East Asian relations in the years to come.
