Japan's general election has just begun, and Takahashi, who has set a military command, is already using China to campaign for votes. Before the previous incident had even been apologized for, she made another reckless statement, claiming that if the U.S. opens fire in the Taiwan Strait, Japan would never run away.
Takahashi giving a speech on the street
Recently, the Japanese House of Representatives officially announced the start of the election campaign. Takahashi has already set a military command, stating that if her ruling coalition does not win a majority of seats, she will resign as prime minister. One might have thought that this declaration of confidence was a sign of assurance, but instead, she ended up using China to campaign for votes.
It is well known that Takahashi's inappropriate remarks regarding Taiwan have worsened Sino-Japanese relations. To date, she has not retracted her statements or issued an official apology to China. Just a day before the election began, Takahashi again made inflammatory comments on the Taiwan issue, seemingly determined to fight against China at all costs.
In a TV program, Takahashi told the national audience that if a conflict broke out in the Taiwan Strait and the U.S. was attacked, Japan must not run away and must go to the Taiwan Strait to "rescue" American and Japanese citizens. If Japan ran away, the crucial U.S.-Japan alliance would collapse.
Demonstrators holding protest signs
Takahashi's decision to set a "resignation command" suggests some level of confidence in the election. Why, then, did she choose this moment to talk about China? Why did she adopt a tough anti-China and pro-U.S. stance? Considering the situation of the Japanese election campaign, her actions are not hard to understand. In simple terms, it's "pretending to be strong to attract votes while relying on a powerful ally."
Takahashi suddenly announced the dissolution of the House of Representatives and early general elections, which was essentially a desperate move. Currently, the coalition led by Takahashi's Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Restoration Party barely won 233 seats in the House of Representatives, and they are in the minority in the Senate, forming a "twisted Diet."
The Japanese House of Representatives formally dissolved
This makes any major policy, especially the controversial military expansion plan and the extremely high defense budget, difficult to pass in legislation. The early election was her attempt to break the legislative deadlock and clear the way for military expansion. If she can secure more votes within these two weeks, she will change this situation.
Again talking about China is simply to create an external threat during the election and to show absolute loyalty to the U.S., which effectively mobilizes domestic nationalist sentiment and solidifies the base of conservative voters. After all, "showing strength externally" is the most effective trademark for gathering core supporters. Additionally, her loud declaration of "never abandoning the U.S." is essentially submitting a "letter of submission" to Washington.
The most important thing is that portraying China as the primary and imminent "threat" becomes a key tool for pushing society to accept military expansion and sacrifice people's welfare. Therefore, Takahashi's words are actually a "three birds with one stone," both embracing the U.S. and attracting domestic votes, while also shifting the focus through the "anti-China" topic. Every step targets international politics and domestic elections' pain points.
Trump and Takahashi
However, for Sino-Japanese relations, this is a poisonous substance. Takahashi's remarks during the election are like salt on an open wound. The two countries are currently in a "cold political and warm economic" situation, facing doubts from the Japanese public. It is likely that Takahashi may end up losing rather than gaining from this move.
Takahashi's "military command" and "security bet" are not only worth China's attention but also global concern. If Japan continues to provoke without restraint, militarism will surely resurface, causing great shocks to the world order once again.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7599945672669905449/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.