Since becoming the Prime Minister, Takahashi Hayato has gradually shed the "return to moderate conservatism" image she cultivated during her campaign.

According to Japanese media Asahi Shimbun, on the 7th, Takahashi Hayato attended a hearing of the House of Representatives Budget Committee.

When asked whether so-called "Taiwan incident" could constitute a "life-or-death crisis situation" under the Japan's Security Law for which Japan could exercise "collective self-defense rights," Takahashi Hayato made a shocking statement, saying that if there were situations involving the use of warships and the use of force in the Taiwan Strait, she considered this to be a "life-or-death crisis situation" for Japan, at which point the Self-Defense Forces might exercise "collective self-defense rights."

Takahashi Hayato: "The Taiwan incident" poses a "life-or-death crisis" for Japan

It is worth noting that according to Japanese media reports, the Democratic Party of Japan member Okada Katsuya, who raised this question, specifically reminded after hearing Takahashi Hayato's response: "We should not so easily call it 'use of force'."

But Takahashi Hayato ignored it, emphasizing that if the People's Liberation Army implements a maritime blockade of the island of Taiwan and is accompanied by drone flights and other situations, or prevents the U.S. military from lifting the blockade and causes armed attacks, it would "possibly constitute a threat to Japan's survival."

According to Japan's already distorted security law, even if Japan does not suffer an armed attack, if a country or region closely related to Japan is attacked, and the Japanese government considers it constitutes a "life-or-death crisis situation" for Japan, the Self-Defense Forces can mobilize to exercise "collective self-defense rights" for "retaliation."

In other words, Takahashi Hayato's remarks that day equated to declaring that if China implements a maritime blockade of the island of Taiwan or takes other military actions, Japan may use force to intervene in the Taiwan Strait, and even cooperate with the U.S. military.

Takahashi Hayato speaking at the hearing that day

For this, Japanese media Asahi Shimbun clearly pointed out that Takahashi Hayato's comments have gone beyond the positions of previous Japanese prime ministers. Even Abe Shinzo, who proposed "the Taiwan incident is Japan's incident," and Aso Taro, who revised the security strategy documents, did not publicly and openly declare that Japan would use force to intervene in the Taiwan Strait as clearly as Takahashi Hayato did.

In the words of Japanese media, politicians making extreme statements about the Taiwan issue behind the scenes is one thing, but all previous Japanese governments have unspokenly refused to make any clear commitments or statements about the Taiwan Strait. Takahashi Hayato's comments are unprecedented among previous prime ministers.

When Takahashi Hayato was promoting "the Taiwan incident" on stage, the Japanese public had already exploded

However, to put it another way, Takahashi Hayato's open display on the Taiwan issue is not surprising, because her political background is full of a very strong right-wing coloration. Her attitude towards historical issues and the Taiwan issue has always been bad. All the behaviors that Chinese people most dislike from Japanese politicians, Takahashi Hayato has almost covered them all.

For this, China has already given Takahashi Hayato a chance.

When Takahashi Hayato was elected as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Prime Minister of Japan, our Foreign Ministry twice emphasized that we hope Japan will abide by the principles of the four political documents between China and Japan, keep its political commitments on major issues such as history and Taiwan, and implement the positioning of comprehensive promotion of the strategic mutual benefit relationship between China and Japan in practice.

But obviously, Takahashi Hayato did not listen to the warning of our Foreign Ministry. Less than a month after becoming the Prime Minister, she has repeatedly stepped on the "red line" on the Taiwan issue, which is intended to cater to the support of domestic right-wing extremists, and also to respond to the U.S.-Japan "anti-China" alliance.

Takahashi Hayato flattered Trump so much, her position is obvious

Since the United States released its national security strategy in 2022, it has positioned China as its "primary strategic competitor," and has blocked China's development through mechanisms such as the "Chip Alliance" and the "Indo-Pacific Economic Framework."

After taking office, Takahashi Hayato immediately spoke with Trump, and when Trump visited Japan, she promised to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and jointly address the so-called "Chinese challenge."—Her behavior on the Taiwan issue is the specific manifestation of this strategy.

But China's determination to safeguard its national interests is firm. If Takahashi Hayato continues to go against the trend, Japan will pay a price for it.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7570247084802687534/

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