Key facts
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has refused to retract comments made in November regarding Japan's potential response to an attack on Taiwan.
- China has responded to Takaichi's remarks with a wide range of diplomatic and economic pressure, including restricting exports and curbing tourism.
- Takaichi's comments suggested that an attack on Taiwan could be a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, potentially enabling the mobilization of its Self-Defense Forces.
- Analysts note that China's pressure tactics are varied, including diplomatic complaints, postponing summits, and military posturing near disputed islands.
- Takaichi has focused on strengthening relations with allies like the U.S. and partners in Southeast Asia since taking office.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has maintained her stance on Taiwan despite escalating diplomatic and economic pressure from China. Takaichi's remarks in November, suggesting Japan would activate its self-defense force in the event of an attack on Taiwan, have plunged ties between the two nations to their lowest level in years.
Beijing has responded with a wide array of measures, including demanding a retraction of Takaichi's statement at the United Nations, curbing Chinese tourism to Japan, cancelling concerts and performances, and reclaiming pandas. Analysts characterize China's approach as "informal economic coercion" and "greyzone warfare," aimed at wearing down Japan through diffuse, low-level pressure across various fronts.
Despite the pressure, Takaichi has refused to apologize or retract her comments, a stance that analysts suggest is bolstered by a strong mandate from a recent election. Her government has engaged in diplomatic meetings with Chinese counterparts, but these have done little to appease Beijing's anger. China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, invoked Japan's World War Two history of aggression while addressing Western leaders, calling Takaichi's remarks a "very dangerous development."
On the military front, Japan has reported increased activity from China, including drones, warships sailing past islands, and fighter jets "locking radars" on Japanese planes. Coast guard ships have also confronted each other near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. Takaichi has focused on strengthening relations with allies like the U.S. and like-minded partners in Southeast Asia since taking office in October, having visited 11 countries.