Overview
- China’s Foreign Ministry called the remarks egregious and demanded an immediate retraction, warning that Japan must bear all consequences.
- Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Sanae Takaichi refused to retract after Beijing lodged strong protests and urged Tokyo to rectify its actions.
- Takaichi’s Nov. 7 Diet statement described a Chinese blockade or attack on Taiwan as a survival-threatening situation that could enable collective self-defense.
- Lin reiterated that Osaka Consul General Xue Jian’s social media post targeted Takaichi’s stance and labeled her comments dangerous.
- Japanese media and some Foreign and Defense Ministry officials raised concerns that specifying a Taiwan scenario undercuts strategic ambiguity.