China has issued a sharp rebuke to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi following her recent remarks suggesting that Japan could act jointly with the United States to protect nationals in Taiwan, Global Times reports. In a television interview, Takaichi claimed that failure to respond in such a scenario could undermine the Japan-US alliance, prompting Beijing to denounce the statements as an illegal interference in China’s internal affairs and a direct challenge to the post-war international order.
The editorial criticized Takaichi for showing “no sign of remorse” after previous remarks in November 2025, describing her latest comments as a provocative attempt to justify potential intervention in the Taiwan Strait under the pretext of alliance obligations. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Taiwan question is a purely domestic matter and accused Japan of displaying lingering colonial-era thinking. The Global Times editorial warned that such rhetoric severely threatens regional peace and stability and undermines political foundations in China-Japan relations.
The commentary further highlighted the economic consequences of Takaichi’s stance, noting that Chinese tourism to Japan dropped roughly 45 percent year on year, while retail and duty-free sales to Chinese customers declined by about 40 percent. Beijing characterized these developments as a direct response to Japan testing China’s “red lines,” and said that Takaichi’s strategy reflects both short-sightedness and opportunism in domestic politics.
The editorial also criticized Japan’s framing of alliance obligations with the United States as a shield for intervention, arguing that no bilateral arrangement can override the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries as enshrined in the UN Charter. It cautioned against expanding Japan’s interpretation of “collective self-defense” under its Peace and Security legislation to justify actions in Taiwan, and warned that treating Chinese territorial issues as a survival threat demonstrates a disregard for Japan’s pacifist constitution.
The Global Times editorial concluded with a stark warning that Japan must understand the consequences of provocative actions. While emphasizing that China seeks peace, it stated that the country will not tolerate attempts to manipulate the Taiwan issue for political gain, and that any continued escalation could result in “an even heavier and more unbearable price” for Japan.
