China’s ruling Communist Party newspaper, People’s Daily, on Friday accused Japan of attempting to revive its wartime militarism after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and potentially prompt a military response.
Takaichi’s comments, made in parliament last week, triggered a diplomatic confrontation with Beijing and sharp criticism from Chinese officials.
In Osaka, China’s top diplomat provoked additional outrage after sharing a news article on X about the remarks and adding that “the dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off,” prompting a formal protest from Tokyo.
Chinese state media has since issued a barrage of editorials denouncing Takaichi. The People’s Daily commentary, published under the pen name Zhong Sheng, often used to voice the official line on foreign policy, argued that the prime minister’s remarks were not an “isolated political rant,” but evidence of a larger effort within Japan’s right wing to remove post-war constitutional limits on military power.
“In recent years, Japan has been racing headlong down the path of military buildup,” the paper said, accusing Tokyo of “hyping the China threat,” denying historical atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre, and continuing controversial visits to Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 convicted war criminals are commemorated among Japan’s 2.5 million war dead.
Such visits frequently anger Beijing and remain a longstanding source of friction.
The commentary drew historical parallels, warning that Japan previously invoked fabricated “survival crises”, including the 1931 Mukden Incident, used as a pretext to invade Manchuria, to justify aggression.
“Now that similar rhetoric is being revived, does Japan intend to repeat the mistakes of history?” it asked.
World War Two and Japan’s invasion of China continue to shape relations between the two countries, with historical grievances often resurfacing amid current geopolitical tensions.
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to take the island. Taiwan’s elected government rejects Beijing’s claims, insisting its future must be decided solely by its people.
Japan, located just over 110 kilometres from Taiwan, views stability in the Taiwan Strait as critical, with key trade routes passing through surrounding waters and the country hosting the largest U.S. military presence overseas.
Tokyo has not responded directly to the People’s Daily editorial but has maintained that its security assessments regarding Taiwan are consistent with Japan’s strategic interests and regional commitments.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
