Japanese people gather in front of the prime minister’s official residence on November 21, 2025 to protest against Sanae Takaichi’s erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan. Photo: Courtesy of Risa Shirasaka

A large number of Japanese people gather in front of prime minister’s official residence on Friday, asking Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to retract her erroneous remarks of so-called "survival-threatening situation," urging “Don’t let Japan fall in danger.” 

Japanese civil groups on Friday held a protest gathering during which protesters shouted out slogans including “Prime Minister Takaichi stop hyping up war” “Immediately retract erroneous remarks” and “Japan-China friendship,” Kyodo News reported Friday.  

Takaichi claimed at a Diet meeting on November 7 that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. Takaichi refused to retract her remarks, implying the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Straits. Chinese Foreign Ministry has over the past week repeatedly addressed the issue and made stern warnings, urging the Japanese side to retract the remarks.

Reina Tashiro, one of the heads of WE WANT OUR FUTURE, organizer group of the Friday protest, told the Global Times via email that Takaichi’s erroneous remarks may lead to a series of negative effects, such as the stagnation of Japan-China diplomatic dialogue, dysfunction in economic cooperation and trade, and a reduction in cultural and tourism exchanges. There have already been reports of strong protests from the Chinese side, while economic and cultural exchanges have already been affected, Tashiro said.

Japanese people gather in front of the prime minister’s official residence on November 21, 2025 to protest against Sanae Takaichi’s erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan. Photo: Courtesy of Reina Tashiro

The goal of the protest is to step up domestic pressure to push Takaichi to retract her remarks. Tensions between Japan and China should not escalate further, Tashiro stressed.

A protester told the Global Times that more than a thousand people were at the protest and it is obvious that everyone (at scene) is angered by Takaichi's erroneous remarks. 

People from different places in Japan took to the streets, holding signs stating “Do not hype up war” “Retract erroneous remarks” “Sanae Takaichi resign” “Apologize to Chinese people,” according to the anonymous protester. 

Taiwan question is China’s internal affairs and has nothing to do with Japan. There is no contingency in Taiwan. It is Takaichi who hypes up regional tension, in an attempt to push forward Japan’s military expansion, said the Japanese protester. 

Worst of all, Takaichi’s remarks at the Diet meeting were erroneous and ran counter to political documents between China and Japan, as well as the spirit of Japan’s Peace Constitution. These remarks not only hurt the feelings of the Chinese people but also risk dragging Japan into the abyss of war, said the protester who participated in the protest rally after work.  

Another protester told the Global Times that "Based on the historical fact that Japan once invaded China, we must voice the aspirations of the general public — Japan must never resort to arms against China again.”

“We are deeply worried a situation where the prime minister can act arbitrarily and recklessly. This will force peace-loving and friendly people into silence, while xenophobia is wantonly incited by the incompetent government," he stated. "We hold the view that only through joint voices from the general public and opposition parties to force Takaichi to resign can we prevent the situation from spiraling out of control."

Risa Shirasaka, a sophomore student at Keio University, delivered a speech at the protest. Shirasaka told the Global Times that if the situation continues to worsen, Japan-China ties will go sour sharply. 

“I was concerned about PM Takaichi’s diplomatic capacity, and adverse consequences of a flawed foreign policy will first impact the work and lives of the people. Therefore we must speak out.” 

There are more protests taking place in Japan. A group asking Sanae Takaichi to retract erroneous remarks, in an email to the Global Times, said the group planned to hold a gathering on December 2, asking Takaichi to retract its words and returning to the starting point of normalization of China-Japan relations. 

China has repeatedly urged Takaichi to retract her erroneous remarks. 

When asked to comment on Takaichi’s Friday remarks that there has been no change in Japan's stance to develop strategic, mutually beneficial relationship with China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Takaichi made blatant and erroneous remarks on Taiwan. Those remarks implied the possibility of Japan’s armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, triggered outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people, and eroded the political foundation of China-Japan relations. China has made clear its firm opposition.

If Japan truly hopes to develop the strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China and make the relationship a constructive and stable one fit for the new era, Japan needs to uphold the spirit of the four political documents between the two countries and its political commitments, retract the erroneous remarks at once, and take practical steps to honor its commitments to China, Mao said.