Protests flare again in Tokyo over PM Takaichi's Taiwan remarks

In the chill that followed an early winter rain, clusters of protesters gathered once again in front of the Japanese prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday evening, drawn by rising concern over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent remarks on Taiwan.

By around 6 p.m. local time, a large crowd had already formed at the scene, holding signs that read "No to military intervention! We want peace!" and "No War, No Takaichi," while chanting "Take back your words, Takaichi!" and "We don't need a prime minister who stokes conflict!"

The chants pulsed through megaphones, echoing across the wet pavement.

The spark for the gathering came earlier this month, when Takaichi told a Diet meeting that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Takaichi later insisted that her remarks were in line with the government's long-standing view and refused to retract the remarks.

Her remarks, seen as a break from Japan's long-standing post-war restraint, drew swift criticism. Politicians across party lines, scholars, civic groups and multiple opposition lawmakers warned that her remarks risked heightening regional tensions.

Public unease soon spilled onto the streets. On the night of Nov. 21, demonstrators gathered outside the prime minister's official residence demanding that Takaichi retract her remarks, offer an explanation and apologize.

Tuesday's rally was another demonstration jointly carried out by more than a dozen civil groups. Takakage Fujita, the secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, one of the organizers, told Xinhua at the scene that they gathered at the site for one purpose: to make their opposition heard, plainly and unequivocally.

Takaichi must retract her dangerous words and apologize, and she cannot be allowed to inflame tensions that could lead to conflict, Fujita said.

"We have to stand on the side of justice," he continued. "Takaichi was wrong. She said something no post-war Japanese prime minister should ever say. It is a serious breach of responsibility. If she refuses to withdraw her statement, she should resign."

As darkness deepened, more people streamed in. Some jogged from nearby stations; others arrived with friends; strangers handed warm drinks to those shivering in the wind.

Makiko Ouchi, one protester, said Takaichi's comments had already strained Japan-China relations. "Tourism is suffering, and you can feel tension in society," she said.

"War destroys a life completely," another protester said, "and it destroys the next generation, and the one after that."

She paused for a long time before speaking. "I honestly don't understand why Takaichi would say such things. What kind of worldview or education leads to that thinking?" she said.

Outside the prime minister's official residence, the chants continued -- steady and insistent in the cold night air. Many said they had no intention of leaving anytime soon.