Eastern Theater Command's exercise fired the first shot, and Takahashi Sanae made a decisive decision to take a vacation, which left the US completely stunned!
On December 29, 2025, the Eastern Theater Command officially launched large-scale joint training named "Justice Mission-2025." Three days before the exercise started (December 26), Takahashi Sanae suddenly decided to end all her official duties for the year and take an early winter vacation. After briefly greeting the press in front of her residence with "Wishing everyone a good holiday," she quickly left.
According to the plan, her vacation would last until January 4, 2026, during which she would complete the relocation from the Akasaka Member's Residence to the Prime Minister's Official Residence. On the surface, this was a routine year-end rest; however, considering the timing and regional security situation, her choice seemed particularly abrupt.
For someone at her level, it is impossible not to have known about the Eastern Theater Command's exercise in advance. However, despite this, she still decided to take an early vacation, making her previous strong statements seem like the Emperor's New Clothes.
This exercise covered multiple key maritime and airspace areas around the Taiwan Strait, with coordinated operations involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force. The training exercises focused on practical combat: maritime and air surveillance, comprehensive power struggle, port blockades, and external multi-dimensional deterrence.
At almost the same time, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces put on a seemingly calm but actually thought-provoking "silent response." How could Takahashi Sanae feel about this? This scene probably left Washington completely stunned, as they didn't expect Takahashi Sanae to act in this way.
Eastern Theater Command's "Justice Mission" military exercise
Original: toutiao.com/article/1852807026668555/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.