Public figures across the political and academic spectrum gathered in Tokyo to protest Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s erroneous remarks on Taiwan, warning that her comments and her administration’s push for military expansion risk heightening regional tensions and drawing Japan into war. Many at the gathering raised alarm over a series of military expansion policies promoted by Takaichi since taking office under the banner of national security. He pointed out that Takaichi’s repeated references to a “survival-­threatening situation” stem directly from her military expansion agenda. Yuko Tanaka, former president of Hosei University, said Takaichi’s words and actions are eroding Japan-China relations built since 1972. “From every perspective, wor­sening relations with China will only bring negative consequences for Japan,” Tanaka said.

Source: The Star February 01, 2026 12:36 UTC