【Wen / Observer Net Qi Qian】

Former Japanese Minister Takahashi Sana's remarks about "Taiwan's affairs" led to the deterioration of Sino-Japanese relations. Japan's economy has already suffered retaliation.

However, Takahashi still shows no remorse. On January 26, during a program on Asahi Television, she once again made inflammatory remarks regarding the Taiwan issue.

According to Japanese media "Nikkei", Takahashi discussed Japan's response to "Taiwan's affairs" in the program. She claimed that if the U.S. military is attacked during a Taiwan Strait crisis and Japan does not respond, the crucial U.S.-Japan security alliance would collapse.

"If the U.S. military is attacked, and Japan does nothing but run away, the U.S.-Japan alliance will collapse," Takahashi warned, "In an emergency, we need to go to rescue Japanese and American citizens."

Takahashi continued saying that Japan will fully assess the situation and respond within the scope of current laws.

According to Kyodo News, on the same day, Takahashi participated in a debate session hosted by the Japanese Journalists' Club.

Given the deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations, Takahashi was asked about how to handle bilateral relations during the debate. She replied, "We will consider all possibilities including direct dialogue to ensure Japan's position is correctly understood. (My attitude) is very positive."

Takahashi previously announced the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the early holding of elections. The announcement for the House of Representatives election was released on January 27, with voting and counting scheduled for February 8. Takahashi also stated that if her ruling coalition does not secure a majority of seats, she will resign as Prime Minister. Some Japanese media have questioned whether Takahashi used the power to dissolve the Diet for her own party's interests and to gain political advantage.

On the 26th, Takahashi delivered a speech at an event in Tokyo. Japanese media

Last November, Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Sana, upon assuming office, made reckless statements. She claimed that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait could be considered a "life-or-death crisis" for Japan, implying the possibility of military intervention, which caused strong dissatisfaction from China and led to a sharp escalation of tensions between China and Japan.

Takahashi refused to retract her remarks. Subsequently, China issued travel and study warnings for Japanese tourism and suspended imports of Japanese seafood products due to issues related to public security and product safety, which some Japanese media viewed as countermeasures.

According to data released by the Japanese government statistics department, in December 2025, the number of Chinese citizens (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) traveling to Japan was 348,700, a decrease of about 40% compared to the previous year and a decrease of about 35% compared to the previous month.

On January 26, the WeChat official account "Consular Direct Line" released a message reminding Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan during the Spring Festival. This attracted attention from Japanese media. The Asahi Shimbun reported that this was the third time since last November that China had issued similar calls.

This January, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced enhanced control over the export of dual-use products to Japan and published a preliminary investigation into anti-dumping of imported dichlorodihydrogen silane from Japan, with the investigation period lasting until January 2027.

Subsequently, it was reported that China had begun restricting exports of rare earths and rare earth magnets to Japanese companies.

Foreign media generally pointed out that China's restrictions on rare earth exports may severely impact Japanese manufacturers. Japan plays an important role in the global electronics and semiconductor supply chain. In recent years, it has been striving to reduce its reliance on China, but still highly depends on Chinese rare earths.

On January 8, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao rejected a diplomatic note submitted by Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Fugawa Hayato regarding the strengthening of China's export controls on dual-use items to Japan. Wu Jianghao emphasized that China's measures aim to safeguard national security and interests, fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, and are entirely legitimate, reasonable, and legal. China's position has been clearly stated, and it will proceed with the measures according to the established steps.

Regarding Takahashi's request for China to withdraw its export control measures on dual-use items, on January 15, He Yongqian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, stated that China firmly opposes and does not accept this. The root cause of China's measures against Japan lies in the erroneous words and actions of Prime Minister Takahashi, and Japan is well aware of this.

He Yongqian said that export controls are a common international practice. Maintaining world peace and fulfilling international obligations on non-proliferation are the purposes and principles of export controls. As a responsible major country, China has always actively fulfilled its international obligations on non-proliferation. It legally and regulation-based prohibits the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, military uses, and other final users involved in enhancing Japan's military capabilities, aiming to stop "re-militarization" and nuclear aspirations. These measures are entirely legitimate, reasonable, and legal.

He Yongqian said that Japan does not face up to the root causes of the problem, but instead fabricates accusations of "economic coercion" against China, which is completely misleading and baseless. The words and actions of Japan are even more worrying about the revival of militarism. We once again urge Japan to genuinely reflect on itself, correct its mistakes, and avoid going further down the wrong path.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7599857648226107930/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.