Japanese media The Sankei Shimbun recently released a video from the 1990s of current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who was then a lawmaker, questioning then prime minister Tomiichi Murayama, on why, in his capacity as prime minister, he admitted on behalf of Japan that the war of aggression back then was wrong. Photo: screenshot of the released video from The Sankei Shimbun

Japanese media recently released a video from the 1990s of current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who was then a lawmaker, questioning then prime minister Tomiichi Murayama, on why, in his capacity as prime minister, he admitted on behalf of Japan that the war of aggression back then was wrong.

In an article and a video released by Japanese media outlet The Sankei Shimbun on October 20, it reported that in the House of Representatives Budget Committee on October 12, 1994, the year after she was first elected to the House, Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takaichi rose to question then prime minister on behalf of the Liberal Reform Union, to which she then belonged. She criticized Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama for recognizing the previous war as one of aggression without broader national discussion. 

She pressed him sharply, saying, "I don't want you apologizing as our representative without authorization." 

Murayama argued with Takaichi that "I have not said that it was a mistake regarding all those who served in the military and worked sacrificing their lives for the country. However, while history may evaluate many issues, I think we must say that, looking back now, the actions of Japan's military clique and such leaders at that time probably involved major mistakes."

The following year, Murayama issued a prime ministerial statement expressing his "heartfelt feelings of apology" for "colonial rule and aggression," The Sankei Shimbun reported.

On August 15, 1995, Murayama issued a cabinet-endorsed statement in his name to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, which declared that "Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war... and, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations," according to Xinhua News Agency.

The Murayama Statement also expressed "deep remorse" and offered a "heartfelt apology," using unprecedented language to apologize for Japan's wartime actions, which was widely recognized internationally, according to Xinhua. 

Recently, Takaichi has openly made erroneous and dangerous remarks on the Taiwan question, hinting at "the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait." Such remarks have led several Chinese ministries and government agencies to express strong protests and stern warnings.

On Saturday, more than 100 Japanese residents rallied in front of the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo to protest against recent erroneous remarks made by Takaichi on Taiwan.

Back then, Murayama's sincere attitude towars Japan's history of aggression has been widely praised by public opinion both domestically and internationally. However, Takaichi questioned Murayama's words on historical issues at that time, which precisely reflects that Takaichi herself has failed to develop an objective and rational understanding of history since her youth, Chen Yang, visiting research fellow at the Institute of Japan Studies at Liaoning University, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

Since then, she has continuously reinforced her right-wing assertions, consistently applying her erroneous view of history throughout her political practice, the expert noted.

"Today, her misguided remarks about Taiwan in the Japanese Diet are clearly not accidental slips of the tongue or momentary lapses in judgment but rather a manifestation of her long-standing distorted historical perspective," Chen told the Global Times.

She is even deliberately promoting the resurgence of militarist ideology, attempting to help Japan break free from post-war historical constraints and pave the way for its military and political expansion, the expert further said.

In response to Japan's provocation, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson has consecutively posted English and Japanese graphic messages on social media platform X, warning Japan to "stop playing with fire on the Taiwan question."

Chinese side has taken several other moves since November 14. Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday that upon instructions, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong summoned the Japanese ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi.

In the afternoon of the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson raised three pointed questions to Japan regarding its recent military and security activities. 

At the same time, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson issued a stern warning to Japan: should the Japanese side fail to draw lessons from history and dare to take a risk, or even use force to interfere in the Taiwan question, it will only suffer a crushing defeat against the steel-willed PLA and pay a heavy price.