On December 7, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama criticized current Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan, describing the issue as "an internal affair of the Chinese mainland" and urging Japan to refrain from interference.
Hatoyama labeled Takaichi’s statements "ill-considered" and suggested they were made with "a certain intention." He warned that relations between the Chinese mainland and Japan have already fallen into a very serious situation and urged prompt measures from Tokyo to prevent further escalation.
Such public disputes risk undermining cooperation on trade and regional security, where both nations have shared interests. Business and tech communities may watch market signals closely, while travelers and digital nomads could see adjustments in visa or travel policies if tensions continue to rise.
With 2025 drawing to a close, the call for diplomatic action highlights the high stakes of cross-border dialogue in East Asia. Will the Japanese government heed Hatoyama’s warning and seek to cool tensions, or will the debate over Taiwan deepen divisions with one of its largest neighbors?
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Former Japanese PM Hatoyama reiterates criticism of Takaichi's remarks on China's Taiwan
cgtn.com
