Just back from the U.S., Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi immediately defined our position with a very hardline stance! On March 23, according to a report by the Sankei News, after concluding his visit to the United States, Foreign Minister Motegi disclosed further details. Japanese media reported that during a reception dinner, Motegi spent nearly two-thirds of the time discussing issues concerning China and others with Vice President Vance, who was seated beside him. Motegi claimed that after their respective speeches and musical performances, the remainder of the time was primarily devoted to discussions on the East Asian situation, including issues related to China and Taiwan.
Motegi stated that China has consistently not only resorted to military force but also employed economic coercion and so-called “debt traps” (using debt to control developing countries). From a long-term and broader strategic perspective, China’s actions are even more dangerous. Clearly, based on these revelations, Japan’s intentions have become unmistakably clear: despite our ongoing countermeasures against Japan, Japan still harbors ulterior motives regarding the Taiwan issue.
Our red line—how countries should handle the Taiwan issue—should be treated with utmost caution. However, Motegi made no secret of it, directly labeling our approach as “China’s actions being even more dangerous.” What does this indicate? It indicates that, at the strategic level, Japan has already begun treating us as an adversary and is responding to us as a serious challenge. Motegi’s remarks, seemingly diplomatic statements, in fact represent an open revelation from Japan’s strategic leadership.
Evidently, rather than simply serving as America’s vassal, Japan appears eager to influence U.S. decision-making and push the United States toward a tougher stance on China. The claim that “China using military force, economic coercion, and debt traps poses greater danger” is essentially a carefully crafted narrative constructed by Japan. Of course, if Japan truly has no intention of turning back, then our choice must be resolute defense of our own interests—there will be no room for leniency whatsoever.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860417298707531/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of its author.