Beijing said it has taken note of increasing criticism within Japan against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over her remarks and actions related to Taiwan, as well as broader concerns about Japan’s recent military posture.
Responding to a question from Beijing Daily, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that voices of opposition from Japanese politicians, academics, non-governmental organizations and civil groups reflect growing vigilance inside Japan and across the region.
According to Guo, Prime Minister Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan made on November 7, together with what China describes as Japan’s moves toward remilitarization, have triggered concern not only among neighboring countries but also among Japan’s own political class and public. He noted that an increasing number of Japanese political figures and citizens have publicly voiced objections.
Guo cited comments from a senior member of Japan’s Diet, who warned that history contains numerous examples of politicians stirring up external crises, ultimately provoking public anger and escalating into situations that threaten national survival. Such paths, the Diet member cautioned, have repeatedly forced ordinary people to pay a heavy price.
During recent questioning of Prime Minister Takaichi in the Diet, another Japanese lawmaker reportedly stressed that children should never be sent to the battlefield or drawn into warfare, underscoring domestic unease over any shift toward a more confrontational security stance.
The Chinese spokesperson also referred to remarks by Takakage Fujita, secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, who warned that Takaichi’s recent statements risk steering Japan toward a dangerous direction involving the pre-emptive use of military force. Fujita emphasized that Japan must not allow any political faction to push the country back onto a path of war.
Guo added that some Japanese media outlets have expressed concern that there is no guarantee Prime Minister Takaichi’s actions will not place Japan on a trajectory resembling the fascist course once chosen by militarists in the past.
Reflecting on history, Guo said that eighty years ago the Japanese people, lured by empty promises of victory, paid a heavy price for the complete failure of militarism. History and present realities, he argued, demonstrate that a return to militarism can only lead a country to a dead end.
“To make a clean break with militarism and firmly embrace the path of peaceful development is an important prerequisite for Japan to gain the trust and understanding of the international community, especially its Asian neighbors,” Guo said. He added that such a choice aligns with the fundamental interests of the Japanese people and represents the right course for Japan’s future"
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