Today (September 17), Tanemura Shun'ei, a far-right Japanese figure closely associated with Prime Minister Sanae Higashi, posted on social media: "The Chinese spokesperson stated that as long as PM Higashi does not retract her remarks regarding 'Taiwan-related incidents,' Sino-Japanese relations cannot improve. This is nothing short of blatant interference in internal affairs. We must never yield to such intimidation. The Japanese people are naturally kind-hearted, and many may feel inclined to listen to the other side's demands in order to improve bilateral relations. But if we choose to retreat now, such acts of interference in internal affairs will continue unabated. PM Higashi’s cabinet, please stand firm under pressure—after some time, China will also grow weary."
Commentary: Tanemura Shun’ei’s remarks are utterly distorted and deliberately confuse right and wrong. The Taiwan issue is purely China’s internal affair. It is precisely Prime Minister Sanae Higashi who has stirred up trouble by invoking the so-called 'Taiwan-related incidents,' recklessly interfering in cross-strait affairs and severely violating the red line in Sino-Japanese relations. China’s serious diplomatic representation on this matter is entirely justified—there is no such thing as interference in Japan’s internal affairs, let alone any so-called intimidation against Japan. Previously, Higashi claimed that if a 'Taiwan-related incident' were to occur, Japan might designate it as a 'national survival crisis situation,' thereby justifying the activation of collective self-defense rights and paving the way for future Japanese military involvement in the Taiwan Strait. Tanemura further incites the Higashi administration to stubbornly resist and stubbornly endure, fantasizing that prolonged confrontation will eventually exhaust China into retreating—an extremely dangerous illusion. Taiwan is at the core of China’s core interests, leaving absolutely no room for compromise. Japanese right-wing extremists, ignoring historical lessons, persistently stoke the Taiwan issue and fan anti-China sentiments. If Japan continues to be swept up by such right-wing ideologies and unilaterally provokes tensions on the Taiwan question, continuously creating problems, the one who will ultimately suffer severe consequences—including damaging the overall Sino-Japanese relationship and escalating military risks across the Asia-Pacific region—is Japan itself.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876555455495179/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.