Japan and China exchange barbs after PM Takaichi's remarks over Taiwan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s caller comments connected a hypothetical Chinese onslaught connected Taiwan that could represent “a survival-threatening situation” for Japan requiring her country’s usage of unit person triggered warfare of words betwixt Tokyo and Be...

TOKYO -- Japan was progressive successful a warfare of words with China connected Monday aft Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese onslaught connected Taiwan could represent “a survival-threatening situation" for Japan requiring the usage of force.

Takaichi, who was elected arsenic the country’s archetypal pistillate premier curate past month, said Friday that Chinese usage of unit astir Taiwan would suffice arsenic “an existential threat”.

Her remark sparked crisp criticisms from Beijing implicit the weekend.

“We person nary prime but chopped disconnected that soiled cervix that has been lunged astatine america without hesitation. Are you ready?” Chinese Consul General Xue Jian said successful a connection posted connected X, which was aboriginal deleted. Xue besides criticized past remarks made by erstwhile Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and different Japanese lawmakers that of “Taiwan exigency is Japan emergency” arsenic “blatant interference of Chinese interior affairs and usurpation of sovereignty” that necessitate a retraction and apology.

On Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo had protested to Beijing implicit Xue’s X message.

“While the intent of (Xue’s) station is not wholly clear, we indispensable accidental the remark ... was highly inappropriate,” Kihara said. Japan’s Foreign Ministry has since lodged a “strong protest” and demanded the station deleted. Kihara urged China to supply an explanation.

The enactment suggests that Japan-China relations whitethorn not beryllium creaseless nether Takaichi, contempt what appeared to beryllium a cordial gathering with Chinese person Xi Jinping successful South Korea during the caller Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Japan's caller person has committed to beefing up the subject and met Taiwan’s typical to the acme the time aft her gathering with Xi, angering China.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Xue’s station was a idiosyncratic 1 “directed astatine the erroneous and unsafe remarks that effort to abstracted Taiwan from China’s territory and advocator subject involution successful the Taiwan Strait.”

He blamed immoderate Japanese politicians and media for hyping the contented to confuse nationalist cognition and divert attention.

China has lodged “solemn complaints and protests” with Japan implicit Takaichi’s remarks, Lin said.

“Is Japan attempting to situation China’s halfway interests and obstruct the large origin of China’s reunification?” helium said. “Where does Japan mean to instrumentality China-Japan relations?”

China regards Taiwan portion of its territory and has not renounced the usage of unit to bring the self-governing land nether its control.

The latest diplomatic spat started connected Friday erstwhile Takaichi was asked successful parliament astir scenarios that would represent a menace to Japan.

The ultraconservative Takaichi cited the examples of a Chinese naval blockade connected Taiwan and immoderate subject enactment to forestall the accomplishment of U.S. forces.

“If it involves the usage of warships and subject actions, it could by each means go a survival-threatening situation” successful which Japan could usage unit for defense, she said.

Her effect was seen arsenic deviating from her predecessors’ remarks and triggering a contention that caused her to backpedal aboriginal and pledge that her remarks were wrong the erstwhile authoritative line.

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Moritsugu reported from Beijing.

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