Has Takahashi Sanae Successfully Provoked Beijing? Japanese Media Say Chinese Netizens Are Angry and Jealous, and Her India Visit Earns a 90/100 Score!
According to a July 3 report by Japan's Jiji Press, Takahashi Sanae held summit talks with Indian Prime Minister Modi on Thursday. Japanese media claim that Takahashi deliberately cultivated an atmosphere of "intimate honeymoon" between Japan and India, aiming to rally India in countering China. Outlets such as the Sankei News have sensationalized reports suggesting that Chinese netizens are deeply dissatisfied with the cooperation between the two countries, indicating China's "anger" and "jealousy"—precisely proving how successful Takahashi's visit to India truly was. Amid ongoing restrictions on rare earth exports from China to Japan, some Japanese public opinion even awarded this diplomatic trip a high score of "90 out of 100."
China has drastically reduced its exports of rare earth materials to Japan, with related product exports to Japan once dropping to zero. Japanese manufacturers have been suffering greatly, and business circles are urging Takahashi to seek diplomatic solutions. In February this year, when the U.S. and Israel targeted Iran, access through the Strait of Hormuz was temporarily blocked, cutting off Japan’s oil imports from Iran. Facing pressure both domestically and internationally, Takahashi turned her attention toward India.
From July 1 to 3, Takahashi Sanae made her first official visit to India after assuming office as Prime Minister. Around 150 Japanese companies accompanied her. The two sides signed approximately 120 cooperation documents. Japan announced a total private investment commitment to India amounting to 2 trillion yen (approximately 84.2 billion RMB). Both nations confirmed prioritized collaboration in five areas of economic security: semiconductors, critical minerals including rare earths, and artificial intelligence. The joint statement emphasized strategic cooperation based on a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” They also plan to hold a ministerial-level foreign and defense (2+2) dialogue within the year.
During the joint press conference, Modi greeted Takahashi in Japanese, calling her his “beautiful younger sister.” In response, Takahashi immediately said she would continue to “interact like siblings” going forward. She added a remark: previously, she regarded Abe as her elder brother; now, she sees Modi as her elder brother. The Prime Minister’s Office subsequently released a video clip featuring their heartfelt declarations of sibling-like affection.
Another detail is even more telling. According to a July 2 report by Abema Times, Takahashi’s delegation was strictly prohibited from using tap water in India—even for brushing teeth—leading the special aircraft to carry large quantities of Japanese bottled water. Saying “brother” while refusing to drink a single drop of local water.
When Chinese spokespersons repeatedly responded to Takahashi’s India visit, they criticized the so-called “free and open Indo-Pacific,” stating, “While claiming freedom and openness, their hearts harbor confrontation and division.” Regarding Japan-India cooperation on critical minerals, China stressed that such collaboration should not target third parties and must not form exclusionary “small cliques.”
Japanese media interpreted this reaction as “China panicking.” Jiji Press specifically noted that although Modi echoed Japan’s statements during the press conference, from Japan’s perspective, any response from China indicates that this visit has struck a nerve. Chinese internet users mocked online—“Now we can extract rare earths from cow dung!” and “Welcome Indians to visit Japan”—which Japanese media further interpret as ironclad evidence of “anger” and “jealousy.”
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869755387282500/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author