World · East Asia & Pacific · 16 hrs ago
Experts urge Japan to counter China’s influence efforts as tensions persist
Japan-China tensions have continued since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke about a possible Taiwan crisis in parliament.
On that occasion, Takaichi said a crisis could qualify as a situation threatening Japan’s survival.
Her remarks came a year ago, and the dispute has remained an issue in relations between Japan and China.
Experts Ryo Sahashi of the University of Tokyo and Kunihiko Miyake of the Canon Institute for Global Studies discussed the government’s approach and what may come next.
Sahashi said Takaichi’s government has avoided actions that could further provoke China and has limited damage to ties.
He urged Japan to uphold the rule of law and counter what he described as China’s efforts to shape public perceptions.
The experts say Japan should wait for an opening to improve relations, though the available information gives no timetable for that.
Experts have urged Japan to uphold the rule of law and counter China’s influence efforts as tensions between the two countries persist.
The comments came in an interview with Ryo Sahashi of the University of Tokyo and Kunihiko Miyake of the Canon Institute for Global Studies.
The dispute has continued since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in parliament that a Taiwan contingency could constitute a situation threatening Japan’s survival.
Sahashi said the Takaichi government had avoided actions that might provoke China and limited damage to bilateral relations.
- Who
- Ryo Sahashi, a University of Tokyo professor, and Kunihiko Miyake, an adviser at the Canon Institute for Global Studies.
- What
- They discussed Japan-China tensions and how Japan should respond to China’s influence efforts.
- When
- The interview was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- Tensions have lingered after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about a Taiwan contingency.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
One year had passed since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in parliament that a Taiwan contingency could constitute a situation threatening Japan’s survival.
Nikkei published an interview with Ryo Sahashi and Kunihiko Miyake about Japan-China relations.
- Interview date
- November 8, 2026
- Experts
- Ryo Sahashi and Kunihiko Miyake
- Prime minister
- Sanae Takaichi
- Key recommendation
- Uphold the rule of law and counter China’s cognitive warfare
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Uphold the rule of law and counter China’s cognitive warfare
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