On December 4, 2025, Japan expert Masakatsu Adachi, honorary professor of Kanto Gakuin University, called on politician Sanae Takaichi to withdraw her recent remarks on Taiwan, saying they clash with the one-China principle.
Adachi argued that 'According to the one-China principle, Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory, so what happens in Taiwan has nothing to do with Japan,' and warned that regardless of Takaichi's explanations, her position amounted to sophistry.
Takaichi, a contender for the Liberal Democratic Party leadership, has sought to emphasise Japan's role in regional security. Her comments on Taiwan, made during an interview earlier this week, have now become a flashpoint in domestic debate.
Analysts say the episode underscores the delicate balance Tokyo must strike between supporting democratic values and adhering to established diplomatic frameworks. Any move on Taiwan can have ripple effects on cross-strait ties and business confidence across East Asia.
As Tokyo prepares its policy agenda for 2026, observers will be watching how party leaders manage this sensitive issue, weighing political ambition against long-term regional stability.
Reference(s):
Japan expert urges Takaichi to withdraw statement 'promptly'
cgtn.com
