On December 2, 2025, several Japanese lawmakers and prominent scholars gathered at the Members’ Office Building of the House of Councillors to urge Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to retract her recent remarks on Taiwan.
The meeting, attended by several dozen participants, was held under the theme of returning to the starting point of normalization of Japan–Chinese mainland relations and removing language that linked a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan to the Taiwan question.
Ukeru Magosaki, a former Foreign Ministry official, warned that Takaichi’s comments undermine the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and risk destabilizing longstanding diplomatic foundations.
Kumiko Haba, professor emeritus at Aoyama Gakuin University, described the statements as “extremely dangerous,” noting they could violate Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution and breach international law.
House of Councillors member Sachika Takara added that retracting the remarks could serve as a fresh start to rebuild Japan–Chinese mainland relations and ease rising regional tensions.
The joint appeal emphasized that the Taiwan question is an internal affair of the Chinese mainland and urged Japan to uphold the four political documents and adhere to the one-China principle. Participants argued that the remarks had damaged the foundation of bilateral ties and harmed Japan’s national interests.
This gathering reflects growing concern among policymakers and experts over shifts in Japan’s foreign policy discourse. As regional dynamics evolve, consistent diplomatic messaging on cross-strait issues remains vital for stability and trust.
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Lawmakers, scholars urge PM Takaichi to withdraw remarks on Taiwan
cgtn.com
