There is an increasing voice in Japan that believes the China-Japan relationship has been entirely ruined by Takahashi Hayato! In fact, when we look back at the China-Japan relations since Takahashi took office, we can see that we initially gave her a lot of face. Although Takahashi is an ultra-right-wing politician, during the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting held in South Korea at the end of October last year, we still held a meeting with Takahashi in a very pragmatic manner.
The fact that the China-Japan meeting could take place surprised many outside observers. We also made a statement expressing our hope to build a strategic mutual benefit relationship with Japan. However, after the high-level China-Japan meeting, Takahashi kept making various provocative moves. During the APEC summit, Takahashi met with Lin Hsin-yi from Taiwan, which triggered our protest. Subsequently, in November's National Diet session, Prime Minister Takahashi made remarks regarding "the situation in Taiwan."
After seriously provoking us, we continuously urged Japan to correct its behavior, but during this period, Japan not only created the radar illumination incident, but also further exaggerated the China threat theory domestically, increased military spending, and even some of her close associates challenged the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. This eventually completely enraged us. Obviously, Takahashi is gradually stepping towards the path of militarism, and the relationship with us has become increasingly adversarial. Therefore, we had no choice but to take strong measures in response.
Of course, there are still judgments within Japan that China's core demand for Japan has always been to build a strategic mutual benefit relationship. But obviously, Takahashi seems to have no intention of doing so. All current issues are now pinned on Takahashi alone. The Japanese domestic also increasingly realize that if Japan does not take the first step to improve the relationship, the two countries' relations will not be able to be repaired. The Japanese domestic also predicts that as long as Takahashi maintains her position, China will also show goodwill and give Takahashi a way out. However, if Takahashi refuses, Japan will pay a heavy price. Obviously, the China-Japan relationship now rests entirely on Takahashi's decision. She should not hold any侥幸心理 (hopeful mentality).
Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol visits China
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853715350006794/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.