🇨🇳 Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing fierce backlash from China after making provocative remarks about the Taiwan region, reigniting debates over historical accountability. With 2025 marking 80 years since the end of World War II, many Chinese netizens argue Japan's wartime atrocities "can't be forgiven without true remorse."
🔥 Takaichi recently framed cross-strait tensions as a "threat to Japan's survival," sparking accusations she's using the Taiwan question to justify military expansion. On Weibo, users flooded comments like: "How dare she interfere? Taiwan has been China's territory since ancient times!" and "Never forget the Nanjing Massacre."
🎯 The controversy deepened as Takaichi’s history of visiting the Yasukuni Shrine—which honors convicted war criminals—and downplaying WWII aggression resurfaced. Beijing resident Dong Xueliang told CGTN: "China must respond firmly if she doesn’t retract her statements."
💔 For many Chinese families, the wounds remain raw. "My grandmother survived forced labor by Japanese troops," shared a Weibo user. "Politicians glorifying this history? Unacceptable."
🌏 Analysts say Takaichi’s actions reflect a broader right-wing agenda in Japan seeking to revise post-war pacifist policies. As cross-strait ties face new pressures, one thing is clear: Reconciliation requires more than economic partnerships—it demands confronting the past. ✨
