In response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous public remarks on Taiwan issues, Japanese non-governmental groups and friendly personages issued statements of strong opposition, urging the Japanese government to follow the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and take measures to prevent China-Japan relations from falling into stalemate.
On November 17, 2025, Tokuichiro Utsunomiya, President of the Japan-China Friendship Association (JCFA), released a public statement pointing out that Takaichi's remarks are extremely erroneous. The statement noted that in today's turbulent world, it is essential to bring stability and hope to the world with Japan-China friendship. However, Sanae Takaichi made erroneous remarks in the congress, claiming that "a Taiwan Emergency constitutes a survival-threatening situation for Japan". The association expressed deep concerns that such remarks would severely damage Japan-China relations and strongly urged the Japanese government to take effective measures in line with the spirit of the four political documents between Japan and China to improve the current situation.
On November 18, Hisashi Inoue, President of JCFA, publicly issued a statement titled "Protest against Prime Minister Takaichi's Remarks 'A Taiwan Emergency constitutes a survival-threatening situation for Japan' and Demand for Its Immediate Retraction". The statement noted that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and that the statement about so-called "survival-threatening situation for Japan" itself is an interference in China's internal affairs, violating the Japanese government's commitment to the one-China principle as stated in the 1972 Japan-China joint statement. Takaichi's remarks have abruptly heightened tensions in Japan-China relations and are dangerous statements that could drag Japan into war. The association strongly protested against it and demanded an immediate retraction.
Noriyuki Kawamura, emeritus professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies and Vice President of the Japan-China Relations Society, said in an interview that all Japanese experts he knows believe that Takaichi's remarks are extremely erroneous and she should immediately retract her erroneous remarks. The Japan-China joint statement clearly stipulates that Japanese government recognizes the one-China principle and respects the position that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory." This is the cornerstone of China-Japan relations, and it is extremely important to uphold and safeguard this principle.
