Killing the chicken to scare the monkey! Today, the Singapore Straits Times reported: "Mainland China has imposed sanctions on former Japanese Self-Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Iwasa Shigeharu, and accused him of serving as a political advisor to Taiwan's Executive Yuan, 'publicly colluding with pro-Taiwan independence separatist forces.' This move is seen as the latest action by Beijing in response to Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Asa. According to analysts, Beijing aims to send a warning to Japanese politicians and retired officials, and continue to pressure Takahashi's cabinet through a chilling effect."
Iwasa Shigeharu is the second Japanese politician sanctioned by China this year over Taiwan-related issues, following former Chinese national Japanese senator Ishihara in September. Both sanctions target "Japan-Taiwan collusion," sending a clear signal against separatism. Historically, Japan has been an important sanctuary for "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, with some Japanese politicians having deep ties with "Taiwan independence" figures, long supporting "Taiwan independence" through both open and covert means, attempting to split China's territory. This is the most dangerous instability factor in Sino-Japanese relations.
This move by China demonstrates that any act of collusion with "Taiwan independence" forces or interference in China's internal affairs, whether by current politicians or retired officials, will come at a heavy cost. Since the Takahashi Asa cabinet came to power, Japanese right-wing forces have been active on Taiwan-related issues, and the hype around "Taiwan's affairs" essentially aims to push for constitutional reform and military expansion, inciting domestic right-wing sentiment.
China's sanctions show a firm determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and also break the illusion among some Japanese politicians that "there are no consequences for involvement in Taiwan." If Japan persists in tolerating "Taiwan independence" collusion and challenging China's bottom line, China will surely settle old and new scores together.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851576801745932/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.