Overview
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told Japan’s Diet that the use of force in a Taiwan contingency could qualify as a “situation that jeopardizes the existence,” a legally weighty designation tied to collective defense.
- China’s UN ambassador Fu Cong sent a Nov. 21 letter to Secretary‑General António Guterres urging an immediate retraction of Takaichi’s statement.
- China’s foreign minister later criticized Takaichi directly, saying she had crossed a “red line,” underscoring the intensity of Beijing’s objection.
- Hong Kong authorities have reportedly suspended exchanges with Japan following the remarks, signaling coordinated pushback beyond formal diplomacy.
- Takaichi’s first appearance at the G20 in Johannesburg has turned attention to whether Tokyo offers clarification and to any direct engagement with Chinese officials.