Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 22, 2025. Photo: VCG

As Sanae Takaichi was about to depart for the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, a social media post from the Japanese Prime Minister left some Japanese netizens "taken aback." 

Instead of commenting on the topics to be discussed at the summit or any international hot-button issues, she posted on social media about spending a long time agonizing over her "choice of clothes" before the trip. Some Japanese netizens left comments under the post, saying that it's highly inappropriate to describe diplomacy in the context of clothes. 

"Yesterday, I cleared my morning schedule to pack for the trip, but the most time-consuming decision was choosing clothes," said in a X post on Friday evening. She said she couldn't stop thinking about the comments made during a budget committee session on November 14, suggesting that the Japanese prime minsiter and other ministers, who will have to negotiate with leaders around the world, can do so in clothes made from "the finest fabrics" and "by the best artisans in Japan." 

Takaichi said she doesn't own clothes made from Japan's finest fabrics by the best artisans, but she spent several hours picking out clothes from her dry-cleaned items, choosing those that "don't look cheap" and "won't be looked down upon," according to the post. 

"In the end, with my limited wardrobe, I packed my usual combination of a jacket and a dress... Perhaps, even if it's a stretch, I might have to buy a suit that can help me 'take the upper hand' in diplomatic negotiations," Takaichi said. 

The Japanese Prime Minister's post surprised some Japanese politicians and netizens. 

Akira Koike, a member of House of Councillors, the National Diet of Japan, said it's reckless and lacking in insight when commenting on Takaichi's post. 

"The idea of trying to assert dominance in diplomacy, and believing that it depends on clothing, is simply astonishing. It reflects a shameful disregard for facts, reason, and international law," Japanese Communist Party and House of Councillors member Taku Yamazoe said in a X post on Saturday. 

A Japanese netizen @tf9dMoexOm7mc7o left a message below Takaichi's post that "choose your words more carefully than your cloths," which gained over 1,000 retweets as of press time. 

A physician and writer @kimuratomo said in a post below the Japanese prime minister's account that "Using the expression 'getting the upper hand' to describe diplomacy, especially in the context of clothes, is highly inappropriate. Diplomacy should always be about policy, the intellect of leaders, and mutual respect. Please do not degrade Japan's dignity with such lacking expressions of character."

"This is not the time to be choosing clothes. China has brought up the old enemy nation clause, so withdraw it quickly, apologize, and resign," another netizen @sealoves based in Japan said in Japanese. The post has been liked for over 1,200 times as of press time.  

Chinese Embassy in Japan on Friday published in both Chinese and Japanese language on X platform the United Nations (UN) Charter's "enemy state clauses," which allows founding members of the UN, including China, to take direct military action if any of the former enemy states of the World War II, including Japan, attempts to carry out a policy of aggression.  

The posts were released amid recent China-Japan diplomatic row due to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's claim 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, according to Japanese media reports.

Regarding Takaichi's erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan region, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has over the past week repeatedly made stern warnings, urging the Japanese side to retract the remarks.

"No matter what you wear, a person's sincerity and heartfelt care for others will always come through to those around them. Arrogant words are shameful. Even if one wears the most extravagant clothes, shallow thoughts will be seen through," a Japanese netizen @nonoruru2525a said. 

"I am astonished that someone in the position of prime minister would make such reckless remarks," another netizen @mimi34343160 said in Japanese on X platform. 

"Furthermore, due to your irresponsible words and actions, many companies and related parties have been seriously affected in their dealings with China. I demand that you fulfill your accountability by explaining exactly what you intend to do about this situation. I strongly request that you promptly retract your statement and take appropriate action as the Prime Minister," the netizen @mimi34343160 said. 

"Why are you running away and ignoring the China issue? The G20 hearing that would make people laugh," a Japanese netizen @world115115 said. 

"As prime minister, saying something like 'take the upper hand,' don't you consider how other countries might perceive it? "another netizen @Book_Stone said in Japanese when commenting on Takaichi's time-consuming cloth-choosing process. 

Takaichi took her seat at the G20 summit in South Africa about an hour after it had begun, RIA Novosti reported on Saturday. 

Bloomberg TV also reported that Takaichi was not spotted among leaders streaming into the summit, and her seat appeared to be vacant when proceedings began.