Japan and China Trade Sharp Barbs After PM Takaichi Warns a Chinese Attack on Taiwan Could Threaten Japan

Tensions Rise After Takaichi’s Remarks on Taiwan

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and China exchanged pointed diplomatic criticisms Monday after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could become "a survival‑threatening situation" for Japan and might justify the use of force in self‑defense.

Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister last month, told lawmakers on Friday that any Chinese use of force around Taiwan would amount to "an existential threat." Her comment prompted strong pushback from Beijing over the weekend.

Chinese Consul General Xue Jian posted a sharply worded message on X that included the line, "We have no choice but cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us without hesitation. Are you ready?" The post was later deleted. Xue also criticized past comments by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other Japanese politicians — including the phrase "Taiwan emergency is Japan emergency" — calling them "blatant interference in China’s internal affairs and a violation of sovereignty" that required retraction and apology.

"While the intent of (Xue’s) post is not entirely clear, we must say the comment ... was extremely inappropriate," Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said, announcing that Tokyo had formally protested the post and demanded an explanation.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry lodged a "strong protest," demanded the post’s deletion and urged Beijing to explain the consul general’s remarks.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described Xue’s message as a personal reaction to "erroneous and dangerous remarks that attempt to separate Taiwan from China’s territory and advocate military intervention in the Taiwan Strait." Lin said China had lodged "solemn complaints and protests" with Japan over Takaichi’s statements and accused some Japanese politicians and media of exaggerating the issue to mislead public opinion.

The exchange underscores potential friction in Japan‑China relations under Takaichi, despite an apparently cordial meeting between her and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. Japan’s new prime minister has pledged to strengthen national defense and met Taiwan’s representative at the summit the day after meeting Xi — a move that drew Beijing’s ire.

The diplomatic spat began when Takaichi was asked in parliament about scenarios that would constitute a threat to Japan. She cited examples such as a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan or military actions to prevent the arrival of U.S. forces.

"If it involves the use of warships and military actions, it could by all means become a survival‑threatening situation" in which Japan could act in self‑defense, she said. The remarks were seen as departing from previous leaders’ language and created controversy; Takaichi later sought to walk them back, saying her comments were within existing official policy.

Context: China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not renounced the use of force to bring the self‑governing island under its control. The episode highlights how statements by senior leaders and diplomats can quickly escalate into formal diplomatic protests between major powers.

Moritsugu reported from Beijing.