Japan PM Takaichi defends Taiwan remarks amid Beijing backlash

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday defended her earlier suggestion that a potential Chinese blockade of Taiwan could threaten Japan’s survival, saying the remark was made in response to a pointed question in parliament and did not represent a shift in government policy.

Facing opposition leaders for the first time since taking office, Takaichi said her November 7 comments fell within Japan’s established position on collective self-defence, which allows limited military action when Japan or close partners face existential threats.

She was responding to questions by Opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party questioned whether she bore responsibility for a deterioration in ties with Beijing.

Takaichi replied that she had simply addressed the hypothetical scenario presented to her and had offered specifics only after opposition lawmakers pressed her to do so, warning that repeating standard answers risked disrupting budget proceedings.

Takaichi said the cabinet has since reaffirmed Japan’s unified stance on contingency scenarios surrounding Taiwan and insisted she had “gone no further” than that position.

She added that Japan would continue seeking dialogue with China while safeguarding national interests.

Her earlier remarks triggered a sharp response from Beijing, further straining bilateral relations.

China has imposed travel boycotts, suspended imports of Japanese seafood, halted approvals of new Japanese films, and cancelled several cultural exchanges in protest.

Takaichi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang both attended the Group of 20 summit in South Africa last weekend, but no bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines.

Domestic criticism also grew this week, with hundreds of protesters gathering outside the prime minister’s office on Tuesday to demand that Takaichi retract her statement.

Tensions over Taiwan remain a sensitive issue for Tokyo, which hosts U.S. military bases and sits close to key sea lanes.