Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Tōyama made erroneous remarks regarding the so-called "crisis of survival" related to Taiwan, triggering severe criticism from various parties.

The chairman of the Central Committee of the Japanese Communist Party (party leader), Shigeki Hori, posted twice on the X platform on the 11th and 14th, urging Tōyama to withdraw her statements.

Hori stated on the 11th: Any attempt to exaggerate "crises" and claim that "if Taiwan enters an emergency state, it will pose a threat to Japan's survival," and use this as a pretext for large-scale military expansion, must be firmly opposed. We demand the prime minister to retract her comments.

Hori again posted on the 14th, stating: The prime minister's remarks about Taiwan have evolved into a serious international issue. To move Japan-China relations in a positive direction, we need to use wisdom, conduct calm dialogue based on the consensus already confirmed between the two countries, rather than make provocative remarks that escalate tensions. We once again urge her to withdraw the relevant statements.

He added that even former Prime Minister Shinzō Abe only spoke about "Taiwan being an issue for Japan" after he left office. Abe never made such remarks during his tenure, because he was well aware of the serious consequences such statements would bring. However, Tōyama lacks this most basic diplomatic common sense. Even now, this diplomatic blunder should be corrected.

Meanwhile, former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba criticized Tōyama's remarks on Taiwan during a radio program on the 13th.

Ishiba stated that previous Japanese governments have always avoided making definitive statements such as "if a certain situation occurs, this will happen" regarding the Taiwan issue.

He also said that Tōyama's remarks were very close to "Taiwan's affairs are Japan's affairs." However, "the Japanese government has never made such a limitation when considering various situations." Moreover, this kind of statement "does not help enhance deterrence."

Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated on the 13th that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Tōyama publicly made explicit provocative remarks regarding Taiwan in the Diet, implying the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait. After China expressed solemn representations and strong protests, she still refused to withdraw her remarks. These erroneous actions seriously violate the One-China Principle, seriously violate the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and the basic norms of international relations, recklessly interfere in China's internal affairs, challenge China's core interests, and infringe upon China's sovereignty. China resolutely opposes and does not tolerate this, and the Japanese side must immediately correct its mistakes, withdraw its malicious remarks, otherwise all consequences must be borne by the Japanese side.

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