Takaichi’s Stance on Taiwan Sparks Pushback from China

Tensions between China and Japan have escalated quickly following Sanae Takaichi’s arrival as Japan’s new prime minister.

Her first in-person conversation with President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit made the shift unmistakable: both leaders appeared rigid and cautious, underscoring a relationship moving into a sharper, more contentious phase.

A Colder Chapter Begins Between Beijing and Tokyo

Takaichi is known for her firm stance on Taiwan and national security. She has framed the protection of Taiwan’s democracy as a moral duty for Japan and recently described a potential conflict over the island as a “survival-threatening situation” for the country. Beijing responded immediately, accusing her of heightening tensions and disregarding long-standing diplomatic boundaries.

China’s reaction extended well beyond official statements. State media labeled Takaichi’s remarks as dangerous and warned Japan against crossing “red lines.” Analysts note that the intensity of Beijing’s criticism is partly tied to Takaichi’s political history; her long-standing support for Taiwan and her visits to sites linked to Japan’s wartime past, which China views as antagonistic.

A Region Bracing for a More Unsettled Period

Both governments appear to be preparing for more friction ahead. Japan is strengthening its security cooperation with the United States, while China is tightening political and military pressure around Taiwan. Experts worry that miscommunication or political overreach could elevate the risk of a regional crisis. Japanese officials, however, continue to stress that their objective is stability, not confrontation.

As Beijing and Tokyo recalibrate under Takaichi’s leadership, global attention is locked on Asia’s shifting strategic balance. Diplomats, markets, and security analysts agree that how China and Japan manage this new tension will carry consequential implications for the region’s future.

Latest Analysis

Fed Minutes Reveal a Deepening Divide

The latest minutes from the Federal Reserve’s October 28-29 meeting show widening disagreement among policymakers over the next steps for interest rates.

Detail

Soft Risk Tone Pressures Equities (20.11.2025)

Global markets moved with a softer tone as mixed risk sentiment shaped price action across major asset classes.

Detail

EU Inflation Eases in October, Services Lead

Eurozone inflation slowed slightly in October 2025, which reinforced the region’s broader disinflation trend as the European Central Bank evaluates the timing of potential policy adjustments.

Detail