Nearly two months after Japan’s new prime minister enraged Beijing with her remarks on Taiwan, the issue is not going away.
Sanae Takaichi set off a diplomatic firestorm in November when she suggested that Japan could justify a military response if Beijing attacked Taiwan.
Beijing hit back with diplomatic, economic and military pressure in a campaign analysts said reflected concerns about Japan’s assertiveness on regional security and closer ties with the US and other allies.
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Tensions are soaring, and there is no end in sight. But according to analysts, the intensity and duration of the stand-off could ultimately hinge on the US-China-Japan triangle.
The row erupted on November 7 after Takaichi became the first Japanese prime minister to explicitly state that any use of force by Beijing against Taiwan could be a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, suggesting that the country’s military could intervene.
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Why have Takaichi’s Taiwan comments sent China-Japan ties into a tailspin?
Why have Takaichi’s Taiwan comments sent China-Japan ties into a tailspin?
Takaichi’s comments drew strong criticism from Beijing and prompted a series of retaliatory measures aimed at piling economic and diplomatic pressure on Japan. Takaichi has refused to retract the comments, despite repeated demands to do so from Beijing.
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