This month, Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, triggered a wave of domestic and international backlash after making a series of remarks about China's Taiwan region that many saw as erroneous and inflammatory.
In Tokyo, large-scale protests erupted, with demonstrators gathering outside the National Diet building. Chants calling for diplomatic de-escalation filled the streets, and social media circulated videos of crowds waving banners reading Protect Peace and No Interference.
International experts joined the chorus of criticism, warning that Takaichi's comments risk inflaming cross-strait tensions. Analysts at Washington-based policy groups noted that such rhetoric could undermine years of cautious dialogue between the Japanese cabinet and Beijing.
Japan and the Chinese mainland share deep economic ties, with annual trade valued in the hundreds of billions. Any diplomatic chill could unsettle global supply chains, investment flows, and regional security cooperation.
As of late November 2025, Takaichi has not retracted her statements, and many observers are watching to see whether her administration will take steps to calm nerves. The outcome could shape Japan's role as a mediator in East Asian affairs in the year ahead.
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Domestic, international backlash grows over Takaichi's Taiwan remarks
cgtn.com
