Japan Opposition Criticizes Takaichi Over Controversial Taiwan Comments rki.news

Uncategorized , / Sunday, November 16th, 2025

rki.news

Japan’s political tensions deepened over the weekend as senior figures from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) strongly criticized Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her recent remarks concerning Taiwan and regional security. Speaking at a party gathering in Nagasaki, CDPJ leader and former prime minister Yoshihiko Noda said Takaichi’s statements had “gone too far,” cautioning that relations between Japan and China were already strained and required responsible leadership.
Noda suggested that the prime minister’s comments appeared aimed at shoring up support within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party but warned that such an approach risked amplifying diplomatic friction at a sensitive moment.
CDPJ policy chief Satoshi Honjo also voiced concern during a televised interview on Sunday. He argued that Takaichi’s explanations in the Diet demonstrated an incomplete understanding of Japan’s security laws and of Beijing’s long-held position regarding Taiwan. He added that her framing of the issue could misrepresent the legal thresholds required for Japan to respond militarily.
The controversy stems from Takaichi’s remarks at a Diet session on November 7, where she suggested that a Taiwan-related crisis involving military activity by the Chinese mainland could qualify as a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. Under existing legislation, such a designation could enable the Self-Defense Forces to exercise the right of collective self-defense.
Despite mounting criticism, Takaichi has maintained that her comments align with the government’s established interpretation and said she does not intend to withdraw or amend the statement.