By Manisha Sahu | America News World
November 14, 2025
A sharp diplomatic rift has erupted between China and Japan after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments on Taiwan triggered a wave of criticism from Beijing. China’s state media, led by the Communist Party’s flagship newspaper People’s Daily, accused Japan of “reviving wartime militarism” and warned that Tokyo risks repeating the darkest chapters of its history.
The controversy began when Takaichi, speaking in the Japanese parliament last week, remarked that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could create a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and might compel Tokyo to initiate a military response. Her statement touched one of China’s most sensitive geopolitical nerves, immediately reigniting tensions between two nations whose relationship remains deeply shaped by unresolved grievances from World War II.
Beijing Reacts: Fierce Editorials and Diplomatic Outrage
China’s response was swift and severe. The People’s Daily published a blistering commentary accusing Japan of attempting to break away from the constraints of its post-World War II pacifist constitution and seeking to reestablish itself as a military power. The paper argued that Takaichi’s remarks were not a casual political statement but part of a broader trend among Japan’s right wing.
The commentary, written under the pen name “Zhong Sheng”—often used for articles reflecting official Chinese foreign policy views—warned that Japan is “racing headlong” into a military buildup. It accused Japan of following old patterns of wartime aggression by visiting the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, downplaying the Nanjing Massacre, and promoting what Beijing calls the “China threat theory.”
The state-run editorial stated:
“Takaichi’s every step follows the old footprints of historical guilt, attempting to whitewash aggression and revive militarism.”
China’s anger intensified after the country’s top diplomat in Osaka reposted an article about Takaichi’s remarks on X (formerly Twitter) with a striking caption: “The dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off.” The comment quickly drew protests from Japan, prompting its embassy in Beijing to raise the issue directly with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
Historic Tensions Fueling the Present Crisis
Relations between China and Japan have always been fraught with historical disputes. Central among them are the atrocities committed by Imperial Japan during its occupation of China, including the 1937 Nanjing Massacre and the earlier 1931 invasion of Manchuria—an event Japan justified using the staged Mukden Incident.
In its editorial, People’s Daily suggested Japan may once again be using “survival crises” as pretexts for military expansion, just as it did before World War II. One striking line from the commentary asked:
“Now that similar rhetoric is being revived, does Japan intend to repeat the mistakes of history?”
These historical grievances heavily inform Beijing’s sensitivity to any foreign discussion involving Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly refused to rule out the use of force to take control of the democratically governed island.
Why Japan Is Concerned About Taiwan
Japan’s sense of urgency regarding Taiwan is rooted in its geography and security interests. Taiwan lies just over 110 kilometers from Japan’s southwestern islands, and the waters around Taiwan form critical maritime trade routes for Tokyo’s economy. Any conflict involving Taiwan would have immediate security and economic consequences for Japan.
Moreover, Japan hosts the largest contingent of U.S. military forces stationed overseas. A conflict over Taiwan would almost certainly involve the United States, placing Japan at the center of regional military operations.
At a regular news conference in Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reiterated Japan’s official position:
“Japan hopes for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue through dialogue.”
Still, China remains unconvinced of Japan’s intentions.
Rising Regional Anxiety and Domestic Fallout
As diplomatic tensions escalated, Japanese broadcaster NTV reported that the Chinese embassy in Tokyo had advised its staff to avoid going out due to growing anti-China sentiment. The report underscored how quickly geopolitical tensions can spill into domestic social environments.
Meanwhile, China’s broader campaign against what it calls “diehard Taiwan independence separatists” intensified. On Friday, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office condemned Taiwanese lawmaker Puma Shen, who recently visited Berlin. Shen claimed Beijing was threatening to arrest him during his overseas travel, a claim he dismissed but acknowledged he took seriously.
In a statement broadcast by CCTV, spokesperson Chen Binhua said:
“Taiwan independence advocates are already at the dusk of their days and at a dead end.”
He further called Shen’s international visits a “self-directed farce,” suggesting that Taiwanese leaders are panicking over growing pressure from Beijing.
Just a day earlier, Chinese police issued a wanted notice and offered a reward of $35,000 for two Taiwanese online influencers accused of “separatism.” Taiwan’s government condemned the move, calling it another attempt by China to intimidate its citizens and instill fear.
A Dangerous Phase in East Asian Diplomacy
The latest clash between Japan and China underscores a broader regional trend: rising nationalism, geopolitical rivalry, and intensifying debates over military readiness. Japan’s strategic concerns over Taiwan are shared by the United States and several Indo-Pacific allies who fear that any Chinese move to seize the island could destabilize the region.
For China, however, foreign commentary about Taiwan—especially from Japan—stirs deep historical wounds. Beijing views Japan’s military normalization as a direct threat and routinely links current events to the grievances of World War II.
As both nations continue to bolster their military capabilities, the possibility of miscalculation remains a growing concern among analysts. This latest war of words has once again reminded the world that tensions between the region’s two major powers remain volatile, emotionally charged, and deeply intertwined with unresolved history.
Japan’s comments on Taiwan have opened a new chapter of confrontation, and Beijing’s aggressive response suggests this diplomatic conflict is far from over.
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