Japanese actor Keiji Takamine, the protagonist in Ultraman Ace. Photo: screenshot from the movie

 


"What's the point in quarreling with China~?" Japanese actor Keiji Takamine, the protagonist in Ultraman Ace, asked in his X post on Monday. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has caused a stir both in Japan and internationally with her erroneous remarks on the Taiwan Straits. The Chinese government has lodged stern representations and strong protests with the Japanese side over Takaichi's remarks. 

The Japanese actor continued to write in his post, "I think the key to maintaining peace is making an effort to get along!"

Takamine, real name Masahiko Takahashi, is a former Japanese actor, most well-known for his role as Seiji Hokuto, the protagonist of Ultraman Ace (1972).

In the comment section, some netizens also expressed their agreement with Takamine's words. 

A netizen named LOMO said, "When politicians stir up trouble and cause disturbances, it is ordinary citizens who suffer the most. Ordinary citizens simply want to live in peace; no one likes war."

A net user called @neodameossan commented that the message from Ultraman Ace's final episode - "Never lose the desire to be friends with people from any country" - has come back to me.

"May the friendship between our two nations grow ever deeper," a netizen named @shi_ji68895 posted, attaching the emojis of Chinese and Japanese national flags.

An X user called Alex Johnson said, "War never changes. War only leads to death and destruction."

At a Diet meeting on November 7, Takaichi said that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. She refused to retract her remarks which imply the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Straits.

Takaichi has met with strong backlash at home and abroad triggered by her erroneous and provocative remarks. Multiple Chinese ministries and government agencies have condemned Takaichi's remarks, warning that Japan would face a resolute response if it dared to meddle in the Taiwan question.

Global Times