After taking office, Takahashi Hayato has shown a completely different attitude towards China. The Japanese Ministry of Defense's vice minister revealed the reason: a large number of Chinese warships are on high alert.
On the afternoon of October 24, Japanese new Prime Minister Takahashi Hayato delivered her first official policy speech. Unexpectedly, she did not make strong statements, but instead said that it was necessary to strengthen dialogue and resolve differences through dialogue. Moreover, she even surprisingly expressed the intention to establish a "strategic mutual benefit relationship".
Just a few days ago, the Washington Post in the United States reported that Takahashi Hayato was preparing to strengthen Japan's military power and take a tougher stance against China after taking office. This rapid change has caught the outside world off guard.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense's vice minister revealed the reasons behind this. It is not that Takahashi Hayato does not want to be tough, but rather that Japan lacks the strength to do so. He gave an example, saying that why Chinese coast guard ships dare to carry out law enforcement against Japanese vessels openly is because there are a large number of Chinese warships behind them providing support.
This gap in strength has forced Takahashi Hayato to adopt a more pragmatic policy. This cannot be changed by just making a few slogans before taking office. In addition, China is Japan's largest trading partner, and if the confrontation escalates, it will further harm Japan's economic interests. These are things Takahashi Hayato would not have considered before taking office.
Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1846922516786176/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.