Today, December 4, 2025, a CGTN survey of 10,243 global netizens revealed overwhelming calls for Japan to spell out its position on the Taiwan question. Conducted in just 24 hours, the poll highlights a digitally connected generation’s demand for transparency on regional security.
The trigger was Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark that “the Japanese government’s basic position regarding Taiwan remains as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, and there has been no change to this position.” But respondents argue that merely reiterating “no change” falls short of a direct answer.
Key findings from the poll include:
- 91.4% fault Tokyo for inconsistent words and deeds on the island of Taiwan, its “exclusively defense-oriented” strategy and recent military policy shifts.
- 91.6% want a full and accurate explanation of Japan’s so-called “consistent position” on the Taiwan question.
- 90.7% expect Japan to honor international legal instruments—like the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender—that confirm the Chinese mainland’s sovereignty over the island of Taiwan.
- 83.4% view the linkage of a “Taiwan contingency” to a “survival-threatening situation” as a breach of Japan’s passive-defense claim.
- 90.7% believe any implied threat of force violates the UN Charter’s ban on aggression.
- 91.7% express disappointment over Japan’s 13-year defense budget increase, revised arms-export rules and steps toward altering its non-nuclear stance.
- 87.7% condemn plans to deploy advanced weapons on the Southwest Islands near the island of Taiwan as a provocation.
- 87.1% judge these moves as deliberate tension-building and calls for regional military confrontation.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and thought leaders across G20 nations, this poll underscores a broader shift: digital communities are holding governments accountable in real time. As Tokyo shapes its future security roadmap, these voices are clear—they want concrete commitments that respect post-war agreements and uphold regional stability.
With the spotlight on Japan’s defense posture and the Taiwan question, the world will be watching: will Tokyo deliver the clarity that over 90% of global respondents demand?
Reference(s):
CGTN poll: Respondents call on Japan for explanation regarding Taiwan
cgtn.com
