Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has drawn sharp criticism from scholars and experts following her recent comments on Taiwan during a parliamentary session. On November 7, Takaichi suggested that a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait could pose a ‘survival-threatening situation’ for Japan, implying potential military intervention. This stance has been widely condemned as a violation of China’s core interests and a significant strain on Sino-Japanese relations. Ukeru Magosaki, a former senior official at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Taiwan is a critical issue for China, and any provocation would elicit a strong response. He warned that Japanese society underestimates China’s resolve, which could lead to severe repercussions, including reduced Chinese tourism, trade disruptions, and increased pressure on Japanese businesses in China. In response to Takaichi’s remarks, China has suspended imports of Japanese aquatic products, citing Japan’s failure to provide promised technical materials. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning criticized Takaichi’s ‘erroneous’ statements, which have sparked public outrage in China. The Tokyo-based Japan-China Friendship Association has also lodged a formal protest, demanding Takaichi retract her comments and urging the Japanese government to take corrective actions. Noriyuki Kawamura, an emeritus professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, described Takaichi’s remarks as a ‘declaration of war on China,’ marking a departure from Japan’s traditional pacifist stance. Despite recent efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, Takaichi’s actions have undermined trust and cooperation between the two nations.