Earlier this week, on December 3, 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi framed a “Taiwan contingency” as a threat to Japan’s survival, a move that’s reignited a raw nerve in the Chinese mainland.
The Chinese mainland's response was swift and fierce. Social media platform Weibo lit up with comments like… 😡
“If you dare to stir the Taiwan issue, it’s time to calculate WWII debts,” wrote one netizen. Another added, “Remember the history! 🥲”
In an interview with CGTN, resident of Taiwan Chai Hsuan questioned Takaichi's right to weigh in on cross-strait affairs: “Taiwan is not a Japanese colony, so who gives her the right to interfere?”
At the heart of the anger lies a sense that Japan’s political elite still hasn’t fully faced its past. Takaichi’s repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine—where convicted Class-A war criminals are honored—have become lightning rods for criticism.
By downplaying the Nanjing Massacre, in which an estimated 300,000 lives were lost, many in the Chinese mainland feel Japan is rewriting painful history.
Amid this tension, experts warn that using the Taiwan issue to justify military expansion could upend regional stability. For young investors and entrepreneurs watching Asian markets, every diplomatic flare-up matters 🌏💼.
Across the board, calls are growing in the Chinese mainland for full acknowledgment and sincere remorse before any talk of forgiveness. As one Beijing resident, Dong Xueliang, put it: “If she doesn’t retract her remarks, China has to toughen up.”
With history’s shadow still long, this episode shows how past wounds continue to shape today’s geopolitics—and why recognizing them matters.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
