China has sharply criticized Japan following reports that Japan’s National Security Advisor Ichikawa Keiichi defended Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan during recent discussions with officials from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada.
Responding to a question from Phoenix TV, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the Japanese side’s statements and actions once again demonstrate how some in Japan deliberately distort facts, refuse to correct their wrongdoings, and attempt to present themselves as innocent in order to gain international sympathy.
According to Guo, Japan’s claim that Prime Minister Takaichi’s remarks did not alter Tokyo’s so-called “consistent position” on Taiwan is not credible. He stated that it is not the first time right-wing forces in Japan have fabricated false narratives to reshape historical realities.
Guo pointed out that Japan’s past actions include portraying its war of aggression against Asian neighbors as the “liberation of Asia,” downplaying the Nanjing Massacre as the so-called “Nanjing incident,” and whitewashing the notorious Unit 731 as a “public health research unit.” He also accused Japan of dismissing forced labor and the issue of “comfort women” by describing them as “voluntary acts.”
The spokesperson further said that after World War II, Japan has repeatedly portrayed itself as a victim of the war while avoiding acknowledgment that militarism was the root cause of aggression. Although Japan claims to adhere to an exclusively defense-oriented policy and a passive defense strategy, Guo noted that Tokyo has lifted the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense, continued to relax restrictions on arms exports, and even attempted to revise its three non-nuclear principles.
Guo emphasized that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan have triggered strong indignation among the Chinese public and have also faced opposition and criticism within Japan and from some other countries. He said the appropriate response for Japan would be to listen to these voices and engage in serious self-reflection, rather than attempting to justify its position internationally with what China views as groundless explanations.
China urged certain figures in Japan to stop spreading false narratives, confront historical facts honestly, reflect on and correct their mistakes, retract the erroneous remarks, honor existing commitments, and act responsibly. Guo concluded that Japan must provide China and the international community with a satisfactory and credible answer through concrete actions rather than rhetoric.
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