China urges Japan to retract Taiwan remarks following Takaichi’s election victory
Beijing has demanded that Tokyo retract Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s "erroneous" remarks on Taiwan and reflect on its militarist history following the ruling coalition’s landslide victory in the February 2026 general election.
- Japan’s LDP-JIP coalition secured a two-thirds supermajority in the House of Representatives
- China demanded a retraction of Takaichi’s claim that a Taiwan contingency constitutes a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan.
- Beijing warned that "amnesia of history" regarding the Yasukuni Shrine would be viewed as a "betrayal" of postwar orders.
China has formally urged the Japanese government to withdraw "erroneous remarks" made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. The demand follows the decisive victory of Japan’s ruling coalition in the general election held on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Monday that while the election is a domestic matter, the "deep-seated structural issues" and "ideological trends" it reflects deserve international scrutiny. He emphasized that China’s policy toward Japan remains "stable and consistent."
The primary source of friction is Takaichi’s November 2025 assertion that a Chinese military blockade or attack on Taiwan could constitute a "survival-threatening situation."
Under Japan’s 2015 security legislation, this legal designation allows the Self-Defense Forces to exercise collective self-defense.
Beijing views this as a departure from Japan’s "strategic ambiguity" and a direct challenge to the "One China" principle. Lin Jian warned that any "reckless" miscalculation by "far-right forces" would be met with serious backlash from the international community.
Historical grievances also dominated the briefing. When asked about Takaichi’s post-election comment that she is working to "create an environment" for visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, Lin Jian issued a sharp rebuke.
The spokesperson described the shrine as a "spiritual tool" of Japanese militarism, noting it honors 14 Class-A war criminals. He reminded Tokyo that 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trials, a "special year" requiring deep reflection.
"Amnesia of history means betrayal, and denial of responsibility spells relapse," Lin stated. He argued that the Yasukuni issue bears directly on the "credibility of Japan as a nation" and the political foundation of the two countries’ relations.
The election results have granted Takaichi a "supermajority" (352 of 465 seats), giving her the legislative power to potentially amend Japan’s pacifist Constitution. This prospect has significantly heightened Beijing's anxieties regarding a regional arms race.
U.S. President Donald Trump has already congratulated Takaichi on her "landslide victory" and her "peace through strength" agenda. This alignment between Tokyo and Washington further complicates China’s strategic calculus in the Indo-Pacific.
Lin Jian concluded by stating that the Chinese people remain "unwavering" in their determination to defend the outcomes of World War II. He called on Japan to demonstrate sincerity through "concrete actions" rather than inflammatory rhetoric.
