Beijing did not wait long after announcing a landslide victory for conservative Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi in the early legislative elections, to issue a strongly worded threat to Tokyo on Monday, threatening it with a “firm” response if it acted “recklessly.” Takaishi warned in November of China's attack on Taiwan, threatening to intervene militarily if it was subjected to any attack by Beijing.

Published on: 02/09/2026 - 11:01

On Monday, Beijing threatened a "firm" response against Tokyo if it acted "recklessly." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stressed during a regular press conference that, "If the far-right forces in Japan misjudge the situation and act recklessly and irresponsibly, they will inevitably face resistance from the Japanese people and a firm response from the international community."

"We once again urge the Japanese side to retract the wrong statements made by Takaishi on Taiwan, and to demonstrate its sincerity through concrete measures in its commitment to safeguarding the political foundations of China-Japan relations," Lin Jian said.

In November, Takaishi hinted before Parliament that Japan could intervene militarily if China launched an attack to seize control of Taiwan, the island over which Beijing claims sovereignty.

Read also: China threatens Japan to pay a heavy price if it crosses the red line regarding Taiwan

Takaishi's statements angered China, which responded by advising its citizens not to travel to Japan, tightening its trade controls, and conducting joint air exercises with Russia.

The Chinese threat to Japan came after the overwhelming victory achieved by Sanae Takaishi, who supports a tough approach towards Beijing, in the legislative elections on Sunday after she dissolved the House of Representatives at the end of last month.

Japan, whose pacifist constitution adopted after the war limits its military capabilities to defensive measures, is moving towards a more assertive defense policy. In December, Takaishi's government approved a record defense budget of about $57 billion.

In this context, Beijing constantly accuses Tokyo of seeking to revive the militarism that prevailed in the 1930s and 1940s, when the Japanese army colonized many Asian countries, including China, and committed atrocities there.

France 24/AFP

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