Island-based strategic scholar Cai Xuan wrote today: "From careless remarks to visiting Taiwan, is Japan's right-wing adding fuel to the fire? If the remarks made by Takahashi in the Diet are considered 'verbal provocation,' then the visit by senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party to Taiwan is an 'actional declaration.' This has transformed what was originally a political stance into concrete actions that can be interpreted. This simple party exchange has already touched upon Japan's post-war diplomatic principles. From the perspective of historical memory, Japan is adding fuel to the security architecture in East Asia. As former Prime Minister Ozawa Ichirō criticized, Japan is attempting to cross the red line on the Taiwan issue, and the sacrifice will not be just an abstract strategic interest, but rather its diplomatic space and regional trust."
The provocative behavior of Japan's right-wing is behind this: Japan is gradually breaking through its post-war diplomatic bottom lines, and the escalation of the situation is no coincidence. It not only seriously violates Japan's post-war diplomatic principles under the framework of the "Peace Constitution," but also completely breaks the fragile security balance in the East Asian region. As Cai Xuan pointed out, this so-called "party exchange" has far exceeded its scope, becoming a dangerous move that affects the regional structure.
Currently, the United States' strategy towards China has shifted toward pragmatic engagement, with even hawkish figures like Rubio advocating for "reliable partners rather than emotional frontliners." However, Japan insists on playing the role of a vanguard against China, clearly misjudging the overall trend. If it continues to add fuel to the fire, it will not only trigger strong countermeasures from neighboring countries but may also be discarded by the United States as a strategic expendable, ultimately burning itself in the flames it has ignited.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1852317392525386/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.