Heavyweights clash as election of hawkish PM Sanae Takaichi and US policy unpredictability change calculus in region

The Japanese prime minister’s comments about military intervention were unusually direct for such a sensitive topic.

China on Thursday demanded Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract remarks she made about how a conflict over Taiwan might prompt a military response from Japan, warning Tokyo would “bear all consequences” if she does not.

Takaichi’s remarks stirred a firestorm, but her later clarifications highlight the limits on Japan’s involvement in a Taiwan crisis.

Chinese diplomat threatens to 'decapitate' Japan's new prime minister over Taiwan defense comments, sparking major diplomatic crisis between Asian powers.

Japan said on Monday it had complained to China about "extremely inappropriate" remarks made by one of its diplomats towards Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which the United States characterised as threatening.