Rising Tensions: Japan's PM Comments on Taiwan Spark Outrage in China

Tue Dec 09 2025 06:15:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ignited diplomatic tensions with China by suggesting Japan could respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan, leading to a heated exchange between the two nations' foreign ministries.

Japan has found itself embroiled in diplomatic tensions after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a military response if China were to attack Taiwan. This statement has drawn a furious reaction from Beijing, prompting a series of protests between the two countries. The confrontation, which highlights historical animosities, also signals a departure from Japan's traditionally ambiguous stance on Taiwan's sovereignty.

Rising Tensions: Japan's PM Comments on Taiwan Spark Outrage in China

Koh Ewe

EPA/Shutterstock — Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that Japan could respond with its self-defence force if China attacked Taiwan

Over the past week, China and Japan have been locked in an escalating war of words. It started when Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested that if China attacked Taiwan, Japan might respond with military force.

This remark prompted strong protests between the foreign ministries of both nations, with reports of a threatening comment made by a Chinese diplomat. The incident reflects the deep-seated historical animosities and complex dynamics surrounding Taiwan’s sovereignty.

The current tensions ignited during a parliamentary meeting, where a lawmaker asked Takaichi about survival-threatening circumstances regarding Taiwan. Her response made clear the legal basis under Japan's 2015 security law, which allows Japan to activate self-defence forces in such scenarios, provoking a sharp reaction from Beijing.

As Takaichi’s comments diverge from Japan's traditionally ambiguous stance towards Taiwan's status, this has raised alarms and spurred further debate about military commitments in the region, marking a notable shift in Japan's foreign policy approach towards Taiwan.

With this incident, the trajectory of Japan-China relations appears increasingly fraught, highlighting the intricate balance Tokyo is attempting to maintain amid changing regional dynamics and historical tensions.