Photo: screenshot of on-site video published by CCTV News

On Saturday, more than 100 Japanese residents rallied in front of the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo to protest against the recent wrong remarks made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan, according to news dispatches from Tokyo by CCTV News and relevant information on X.

During the rally, protesters shouted slogans such as "Retract your remarks and apologize immediately," "Takaichi step down" and "Those who cannot conduct diplomacy are unfit to be prime minister" at the scene, CCTV reported from Tokyo. 

An on-site video released by CCTV News showed that on Saturday evening, Japanese protesters held up signs and chanted the aforementioned protest slogans, also including phrases such as, "Rather than military expansion, we should protect people's livelihoods."

On social platform X, some Japanese netizens posted on-site photos and video clips of the rally. X user @mit0919Sahne appeared to be the organizer of the activity, who on Friday posted a call for participation in the Saturday rally. According to the post, the demonstration was aimed at demanding Takaichi withdraw her claims regarding Taiwan — comments that interfered in China's internal affairs — and at calling for the resignation of the prime minister.

On Saturday evening after the rally, @mit0919Sahne posted on X that "despite the short notice, about 120 people still showed up today — we are so grateful!" @mit0919Sahne noted that during the rally, Japanese citizens took turns giving speeches and leading chants including those opposing Japan's militarization and military expansion. 

During a hearing in the Diet, Japan's legislature, on November 7, Takaichi claimed that a Taiwan emergency involving the use of military vessels and military force from the Chinese mainland could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. According to legislation, Japan's Self-Defense Forces could exercise the right of collective self-defense if such a situation is recognized as "survival-threatening."  

On November 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed firm opposition and strong protest against Takaichi's wrongful remarks.

On Friday, Multiple Chinese ministries and government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, condemned the Japanese side's related moves and remarks, warning that Japan would face a resolute response if it dared to meddle in the Taiwan question, amid ongoing backlash at home and abroad triggered by the erroneous and provocative remarks of Takaichi. 

Takaichi's wrong words have also aroused doubts and criticisms in Japan, according to media reports. Many Japanese members of parliament have demanded that she retract the relevant remarks. Three former Japanese prime ministers - Yoshihiko Noda, Yukio Hatoyama and Shigeru Ishiba - have also successively issued warnings against Takaichi's provocative remarks.

Global Times