Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s controversial statements about the Taiwan region sparked diplomatic tensions with China this month – yet her cabinet’s approval ratings remain surprisingly stable at around 70%. Let’s unpack this political puzzle 🧩.
The Taiwan Comments Fallout
After Takaichi’s remarks in early November 2025, China implemented what analysts call "targeted countermeasures," including suspending key diplomatic dialogues. While Beijing called the statements a "grave violation of sovereignty," Japanese media polls show minimal impact on public support for the cabinet.
Experts Weigh In
Xu Weijun, a researcher at South China University of Technology, explains: "Approval ratings reflect multiple factors – economic stability, domestic policies, and crisis management. The Japanese public might separate Taiwan-related rhetoric from overall governance."
Three Key Reasons Behind the Numbers:
🇯🇵 Strong focus on economic revitalization policies
📈 Effective COVID-19 recovery management
🗞️ Japanese media’s limited emphasis on cross-strait issues
🔍 Important note: High approval ≠ endorsement of Taiwan remarks. Many Japanese citizens remain critical of the diplomatic misstep while supporting domestic agenda.
