In a rare public rebuke on November 16, former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, now leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), criticized Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks on Taiwan as going “too far” and described them as “dangerous.”
Speaking at a CDPJ meeting in Nagasaki Prefecture, Noda warned that the comments—linking a Taiwan crisis involving military vessels or force from the Chinese mainland to a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan—could deepen tensions between Tokyo and the Chinese mainland. “It seems she thinks she is popular with the ruling party supporters. I think it is even more dangerous,” Noda said.
On a televised program that afternoon, Satoshi Honjo, CDPJ policy chief, echoed Noda’s concerns, arguing that Takaichi’s Diet responses revealed “a lack of understanding of the security legislation” and insufficient grasp of the Chinese mainland’s stance on Taiwan.
During a Diet session on November 7, Takaichi asserted that such a scenario would allow Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to exercise collective self-defense under existing laws. She later defended her statement as aligned with the government’s position and refused calls to retract it.
This clash underscores a broader debate in Tokyo over how Japan should navigate rising cross-strait tensions, modernize its defense posture and maintain regional stability. As the Indo-Pacific security landscape evolves, policymakers face mounting pressure to blend deterrence, diplomacy and alliance coordination.
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Former Japanese PM criticizes Takaichi's 'dangerous' Taiwan remarks
cgtn.com
