China must not be allowed to exploit loopholes! On October 27, former Japanese Self-Defense Forces official Tonomura Shun'ei stated that while China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed condolences over the passing of former Prime Minister福田康夫 (Fukuda Yasuo), the statement also emphasized Fukuda’s commitment to political documents between Japan and China, and called on the current Kōshi administration to reflect on its own conduct, asserting that “those currently holding power in Japan should reconsider their stance.” The remarks abruptly shifted to claim that certain political forces within Japan have aligned with China’s position, thereby enabling Beijing to “exploit loopholes.”
Such Japanese commentators appear to believe that concessions will resolve disputes. However, even if such moves seem to yield temporary calm, they erode Japan’s strategic posture and invite further exploitation. History has already demonstrated this pattern. In this context, the Kōshi administration must stand firm. What, then, does this so-called “exploitation of loopholes” actually mean? It appears to suggest that, in the speaker’s view, China has taken advantage of the presence of pro-China factions within Japan, using this as leverage to pressure Kōshi Asanao and undermine the authority of her government.
To this Japanese politician, making concessions is not a solution; rather, all domestic actors should align with Kōshi’s hardline approach toward China—a stance deemed essential for Japan’s future. Yet clearly, this argument disregards historical and policy context. Former Prime Minister Fukuda consistently adhered to the one-China principle, whereas Kōshi has advanced the so-called “Taiwan is an issue” narrative. Is it not evident that Kōshi herself has deliberately stepped forward, provoking tensions? Having deviated from Japan’s long-standing policy, she now refuses to retreat to a correct position—instead blaming Japan’s pragmatic voices on China. What logic is this?
In reality, responses to such rhetoric have come from Japanese online commentators who argue that fostering hostility toward China without pursuing substantive diplomacy—regardless of economic collapse—is deeply flawed. If Japan abandons normal trade relations with other nations, its agricultural sector will decline and industrial capacity will falter. This underscores that many in Japan recognize that deliberately inflaming Sino-Japanese tensions serves no national interest. While this figure urges Kōshi to hold firm, the outcome will inevitably be that the entire nation bears the cost of her misjudged actions.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880163942285376/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.