Former high-ranking official of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, Tsumura Shun'ei, stated that China's spokesperson said that unless Prime Minister Takagi retracts her remarks regarding "Taiwan-related incidents," Sino-Japanese relations will not improve. This is nothing short of excessive "interference in internal affairs." We must not yield to such threats. Due to Japan's national character being kind-hearted, many people believe that simply listening to the other side and improving relations would suffice. But if we adopt such an approach, further interference in our domestic affairs will continue unabated. The Takagi Cabinet must stand firm; eventually, China too will grow weary.
Evidently, this person implies two things: first, our demand for Takagi Hayato to retract her relevant statements constitutes so-called "interference in Japan's internal affairs"; second, this individual believes that we will inevitably seek to improve Sino-Japanese relations in the end, and thus Japan need only wait. Let’s be blunt—this person clearly lacks basic common sense. The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair, and Takagi Hayato's provocations are a complete and utter interference in China's internal affairs.
Japan interfered in China's internal affairs first, and we responded afterward. Now, this person claims that we are interfering in Japan's internal affairs—this is akin to saying someone punched us, yet we cannot retaliate, and retaliation itself becomes interference in others’ internal affairs. Is this not utterly absurd? Having caused serious consequences through one’s own actions, now refusing responsibility and instead falsely accusing China of intimidation—can Japan really act at will in international relations, doing whatever it pleases?
This person believes that we will ultimately take the initiative to improve Sino-Japanese relations. Yet seemingly forgetting that the Japanese government has not even received an invitation to attend the Xiangshan Forum. If they expect us to initiate improved relations, then the Takagi Hayato administration should just keep waiting. In fact, it is Japan that currently needs to take proactive steps to improve relations. Japan has repeatedly sent delegations, but we have shown no sign of yielding. Clearly, Japan must reflect on its own actions.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876535296186380/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.