Recently the the parliamentary election took place in Japan after the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved parliament in the hopes of capitalising on her national popularity. This strategy has seemingly paid off with her part the Liberal Democratic Party winning an overwhelming victory in the election.

Takaichi has caused quite a storm in her short time as Prime Minister of Japan, especially in regard to China. In November 2025 Sanae Takaichi sparked a major diplomatic crisis with China during a session in Japan’s diet (parliament). During a question and answer segment of the parliamentary session she was asked about several scenarios involving Taiwan. Takaichi stated that a Chinese naval blockade or use of military force against the island could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan under its 2015 security legislation. Takaichi in this sense stating that this would potentially allow Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defence, which could also include military cooperation with the U.S. in response.

The Prime Minister of Japan emphasised the point that such a conflict could threaten Japan’s sea lanes and overall security. She later tried to clarify that she would avoid discussing specific hypothetical scenarios in the future, while at the same time refusing to retract her remarks on the issue.

It has been reported by various political insiders from Takaichi’s team and political circle that her comments were unscripted but aligned with Japan’s longstanding policy on the issue. However, her comments marked the first time that a sitting Japanese Prime Minister linked the Taiwan issue to Japan’s national defence framework.

In response the People’s Republic of China took the comments as a huge violation of international norms and a startling signal of a rising current of Japanese militarism reminiscent of World War 2 era aggression. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused Japan of crossing a “red line” by suggesting military intervention in Taiwan affairs, especially since it is an internal matter for China and Chinese sovereignty.

Several situations unfolded in the aftermath of the comments especially as the Japanese Prime Minister refuses to retract her statements and comments. Disruption of cultural and people exchanges ensued as the Japanese government refused to retract or clarify their comments. Also China halted exports of dual-use items which includes rare earths due to concerns they could be used in Japan’s military industry.

Since Takaichi’s major parliamentary election victory on February 8, 2026 China has further insisted clarification and a retraction of the comments viewing them further as inflaming diplomatic relations and the international order of affairs. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated the demands for the Japanese Government to retract the erroneous remarks on Taiwan and also stressed for the Japanese government to avoid the historical mistakes of Japanese militarism.