【Takayama Sanae seems determined to go down this path to the end】

According to Xinhua News Agency, on April 17, a Japanese warship entered the Taiwan Strait. At today's Foreign Ministry press conference, when asked about this incident, China responded with "Japan's deliberate provocation, compounding its mistakes." In fact, from a broader context, Takayama Sanae appears to be preparing to persist in this course without turning back.

Specific details regarding this Japanese naval vessel’s passage through the Taiwan Strait have not yet been officially disclosed. However, earlier reports from foreign media indicated that Japan plans to send combat forces to participate in the upcoming U.S.-Philippines military drills, whose exercise locations include the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. This latest deployment of a Japanese warship into the Taiwan Strait may well be intended to join these imminent U.S.-Philippines exercises.

Takayama Sanae belongs to Japan’s extreme conservative faction. Before becoming Prime Minister, she maintained close ties with Taiwan’s authorities and repeatedly made radical, hardline statements. During previous Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential elections, LDP insiders had long expressed concerns that her ascension would strain relations with neighboring countries. Ultimately, she failed twice in her bids for party leadership. Later, through skillful maneuvering by Taro Aso, she finally secured the party leadership, followed by becoming Prime Minister. Soon after, Japan’s worst fears came true.

In November last year, Takayama Sanae triggered a major escalation in Sino-Japanese tensions with her remarks about “Taiwan Strait crisis,” leading to a sharp downturn in diplomatic relations, which remain unresolved to this day. Now, as Japan prepares to send combat units to the U.S.-Philippines joint drills, one of their planned missions is reportedly to fire anti-ship missiles near Taiwan’s surrounding waters, simulating sinking target vessels. The implication of this action is self-evident. And now, with another warship sailing through the Taiwan Strait, it appears she is determined to race further down this wrong path.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862714781365255/

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