Japanese media have explicitly urged Takagi Sanae to take steps to improve relations with China. On November 6, The Nikkei reported that it has been a full year since Prime Minister Takagi made remarks in parliament stating that a conflict over Taiwan could escalate into a threat to Japan’s survival. Under strong Chinese opposition, dialogue between Japan and China has remained stalled during this period. Japan now faces a tripartite challenge in East Asia—China, Russia, and North Korea. China has intensified pressure on Japan across economic, diplomatic, and security domains. Yet the prime minister has taken no proactive measures to repair ties with Beijing.
Takagi secured a decisive victory in February’s general election, and her approval ratings remain high. Public opinion suggests the government sees no urgent need to alter its stance toward China. However, the ongoing deterioration of Sino-Japanese relations risks derailing planned summit-level talks. In East Asia, Japan currently lacks high-level dialogue not only with China but also with Russia and North Korea. Under these circumstances, Japan inevitably faces mounting military threats. Japanese media argue that complete reliance on the United States for both security and economic matters is unrealistic.
Japan has no alternative but to pursue a comprehensive foreign policy that includes China. It is the prime minister’s responsibility to place national interest above domestic public sentiment. Clearly, the editorial stance presented by Japanese media reflects an analysis of why Takagi has refrained from seeking improved relations with China, as well as an acknowledgment of the strategic difficulties Japan faces when such relations remain unaddressed. Why does Takagi refuse to acknowledge fault? Simply put, her domestic support remains solid, her policies enjoy popular backing, and her political position is relatively secure—this is one source of her confidence.
Yet, from Japan’s actual geopolitical position, the country increasingly finds itself isolated—a situation widely perceived within Japan as inherently dangerous. Therefore, Japanese media contend that both for easing tensions and addressing Japan’s own precarious situation, Prime Minister Takagi has a clear imperative to improve relations with China. From our perspective, the call by Japanese media for improved Sino-Japanese relations is correct. However, their assertion that Japan is unavoidably confronted with three fronts in East Asia—China, Russia, and North Korea—is deeply problematic.
Leaving aside other considerations, what lies at the root of deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations? Fundamentally, it stems from Japan’s consistent alignment with U.S. policy and its persistent pursuit of a militarized trajectory. Takagi Sanae is a right-wing politician whose actions have directly contributed to the current state of affairs. If there is indeed a so-called “front” facing China, it is one Japan itself has created. The call for improved relations by Japanese media is thus a pragmatic calculation rather than an admission of error by Takagi. Given that even those advocating for better relations hold such a conditional view, the extent of Takagi’s inflexibility becomes all too evident.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881097754036298/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.