On the evening of November 16, Japan's acting head of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party, Tachibana Norihisa, stated on a Fuji TV program that although Prime Minister Takahashi Sanae has no intention of retracting her remarks about "the situation in Taiwan," there is also an "awareness" of the potential impact of the relevant statements.

Previously, on November 7, Takahashi Sanae publicly stated that "the situation in Taiwan is Japan's situation," and Japan may exercise so-called "collective self-defense rights." The Chinese government immediately raised solemn representations and strong protests.

Over the past days, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies and consulates in Japan have made frequent statements on international social platforms, firmly expressing China's position, and releasing posters in Japanese and English, which have caused strong reactions in Japanese public opinion.

According to Kyodo News, regarding this matter, on November 16, the policy research committee chairperson of the Constitutional Democratic Party, Honda Tomohiro, criticized on a Fuji TV program, "The prime minister (Takahashi) does not fully understand the security legislation, and her understanding of the mainland's position on Taiwan is also insufficient."

Similarly, Tachibana Norihisa, who also participated in the program, revealed that "the prime minister previously told me that she is reflecting on the problem of not adequately explaining the context of her remarks, so I believe the prime minister will not make similar remarks in the future."

Tachibana Norihisa also emphasized, "As a leader of a country, one cannot make remarks that harm the country's interests. Takahashi Sanae's remarks in certain situations are indeed not prudent enough."

However, regarding the previous remarks by Chinese Consul General Xue Jian in Osaka, Tachibana said, "That is inappropriate. If the Chinese government does nothing, we will have to take corresponding measures."

Tachibana Norihisa participating in a Fuji TV program, screenshot from video

In fact, the statement "no longer mention" was previously made by Takahashi Sanae. On the evening of November 10, at the second session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Takahashi Sanae used an "hypothetical answer" as a shield and said that she would avoid such specific expressions in the future to exonerate herself. On the same day, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kiwada Masaru echoed, stating that Takahashi Sanae's remarks explained the principle of "existence-threatening crisis situations," and that the Japanese government's position had not changed.

Perhaps it was only then that they realized they had really caused a backlash, according to a report by Japan's NHK, the Director of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kanai Masahiro, will visit China starting from November 17, and is expected to hold talks with Liu Jinsong, director of the Asia Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on November 18.

The report stated that during the meeting, Kanai Masahiro will explain that Takahashi Sanae's recent remarks on Taiwan do not change Japan's consistent position, while conveying the stance that "even if there are differences in positions, it should be avoided to affect personnel exchanges." However, it remains unclear whether Takahashi Sanae can retract her remarks about "the situation in Taiwan."

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7573598671934161459/

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