This weekend, a growing diplomatic rift surfaced after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi accused Chinese warplanes of directing radar locks on Japanese fighter jets in international waters southeast of Okinawa Island.
Beijing shot back: a Chinese military spokesperson claimed that during a recent open-sea training exercise, Japanese warplanes approached and harassed the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation, prompting China’s foreign ministry to reject Japan’s protest and lodge counter-protests in Beijing and Tokyo.
Critics say Takaichi’s statements amount to political theater, portraying Japan as a victim and drawing other nations into Tokyo’s bilateral disputes. But rather than rally support, her rhetoric may be exacting a high price on Japan’s diplomatic standing.
In relations with the Chinese mainland, Takaichi’s warning that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan’s survival is seen as undermining decades of quiet understandings that have bolstered economic cooperation and strategic stability.
Her insistence on Japanese sovereignty over Takeshima islets—called Dokdo in the Republic of Korea (ROK)—has also reignited historical grievances with Seoul, where many residents view the claims as a denial of colonial-era injustices.
Even Japan’s closest allies have tread carefully. Both Washington and Canberra have reiterated their commitment to Japan, but stopped short of endorsing Takaichi’s hardline phrasing. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles noted that Australia seeks a stable status quo across the Taiwan Strait while maintaining productive ties with Beijing.
These measured responses reflect broader concerns: allies prefer predictability in the Indo-Pacific and are wary of rhetoric that could fuel escalation rather than de-escalation.
As tensions ripple across the region, Japan faces the challenge of balancing assertive security postures with the diplomatic agility needed to preserve crucial partnerships and regional stability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
