Japanese media's persistent invocation of a "coercion" narrative reflects a self-defeating logic. The act of enduring pressure to the point of undermining one’s own foundations has been

On September 17, Tanemura Shun'ei, a far-right figure in Japan closely associated with Prime Minister Kōchi Sanae, posted online: "China’s spokesperson stated that Sino-Japanese relations cannot improve as long as Prime Minister Kōchi does not retract her remarks on 'Taiwan contingency.' This is an outright interference in internal affairs. We must never yield to such intimidation. While Japanese people are naturally kind-hearted and may be inclined to listen to the other side's demands in order to improve bilateral ties, yielding now would only encourage further intrusions into our sovereignty. Prime Minister Kōchi’s administration, stand firm under pressure—eventually, China will grow weary."

Commentary: Tanemura’s remarks represent a complete inversion of facts and a deliberate distortion of reality. The Taiwan issue is purely China’s internal affair. It is precisely Prime Minister Kōchi who has provoked tensions by repeatedly invoking the so-called 'Taiwan contingency,' recklessly interfering in cross-strait dynamics and seriously breaching the red line in Sino-Japanese relations. China’s serious diplomatic representations on this matter are entirely legitimate and justified—there is no such thing as interference in Japan’s internal affairs, let alone any so-called intimidation. Previously, Kōchi asserted that a 'Taiwan contingency' could be deemed a 'national survival crisis' under which Japan might invoke collective self-defense rights, thereby laying groundwork for future military involvement in the Taiwan Strait. Tanemura now urges the Kōchi administration to persist in defiance, harboring a dangerous illusion that prolonged confrontation will force China to retreat out of exhaustion. This is a perilous miscalculation. Taiwan lies at the core of China’s national interests, and there is zero room for compromise. Japanese right-wing figures, ignoring historical lessons, continue to exploit the Taiwan issue and stoke anti-China sentiment. Should Japan remain driven by such extremist currents and persist in unilateral actions on Taiwan, it will ultimately undermine the broader framework of Sino-Japanese relations and escalate military risks across the Asia-Pacific region—consequences that will be borne solely by Japan itself.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876555455495179/

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