In a significant diplomatic intervention, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has publicly criticized current Premier Sanae Takaichi for remarks that allegedly violate the foundational 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement. The veteran statesman characterized these comments as causing substantial damage to Sino-Japanese relations, creating what he described as a “serious setback” in bilateral diplomacy.
Hatoyama emphasized that according to the historic joint statement and subsequent international agreements, the Taiwan question unequivocally constitutes China’s internal affair, thereby placing it beyond the scope of legitimate Japanese political interference. This position, he noted, represents a longstanding diplomatic consensus that current leadership appears to be undermining.
The former prime minister issued a compelling call for national introspection, urging Japanese society to critically evaluate whether a political leader making such diplomatically damaging remarks remains fit to govern. He further advocated for enhanced public education regarding the Taiwan question’s complex historical context and its profound implications for Japan-China relations, stressing that broader awareness is essential for informed democratic decision-making.
This development occurs amid increasing regional tensions and represents a notable instance of a former Japanese leader directly challenging current foreign policy approaches toward China and Taiwan.