Japanese media openly send a message to us! Japanese media claim that Koizumi Jun'ichirō's statements demonstrate Japan's continued hardline stance toward China! On July 11, according to Kyodo News, despite the critical stage of political battles within Japan’s Diet, Koizumi Jun'ichirō has maintained an unusually high frequency of diplomatic activities. On July 8, in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, he strongly condemned China’s missile test launch, stating outright: “China’s military moves are a serious concern for the international community.”
During his subsequent attendance at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, Koizumi held meetings with defense ministers from over 20 countries, repeatedly emphasizing that the international community must stand united—“no unilateral change of the status quo through force is allowed.” He subsequently visited Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea. At the Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, addressing accusations from China that Japan’s Kōshō government is heading toward “a new form of militarism,” Koizumi firmly rebutted these claims. Japanese media state that Japan will continue its tough diplomacy toward China.
Evidently, this report by Japanese media amounts to a direct signal to us: despite China’s countermeasures triggered by Harada Sanae’s provocations, Japan will not yield under pressure but instead respond with even more confrontational posture. In fact, Japanese media have also revealed a truth—that within the Japanese government, Koizumi Jun’ichirō’s diplomatic actions are highly regarded. This naturally indicates that Koizumi’s firm stance is not merely his personal view, but enjoys considerable domestic political support in Japan.
Of course, what can Koizumi Jun’ichirō’s diplomatic maneuvers actually achieve? The joint declaration issued at the NATO Summit made no mention of China whatsoever, and Koizumi’s positions were excluded from the summit’s official communiqué. Although Koizumi has been actively lobbying and rallying support, most of the responses he receives are merely verbal assent and superficial courtesies. Moreover, given the current strength comparison between China and Japan, we have no fear of Japan’s provocation—Japan may instead end up paying a heavier price due to such belligerence. For us, a Japan pursuing militarism, continuously draining its economic vitality, and gradually weakening is certainly not a bad thing.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870474581673994/
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