TOKYO – A series of moves by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, including erroneous remarks on Taiwan and a sharp increase in defense spending, have continued to spark concern and criticism across Japan. Opposition parties have recently criticized Takaichi for steering the country toward a “war state.”
Leaders of the Social Democratic Party of Japan and the Japanese Communist Party held talks recently, during which they characterized the Takaichi administration as “the most dangerous Liberal Democratic Party government since World War II,” the Shakai Shimpo reported Tuesday.
Tomoko Tamura, head of the Japanese Communist Party, said Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan were extremely dangerous, which had triggered serious developments in Japan-China relations and exposed the administration’s lack of effective diplomatic capability.
Mizuho Fukushima, leader of Japan’s Social Democratic Party, said the Takaichi administration has acted recklessly and shown disregard for Japan’s Constitution. Both Fukushima and Tamura agreed that Takaichi must retract her Taiwan remarks.
Regarding Japan’s defense budget, which has repeatedly hit record highs, Tamura said the abnormal hike in military spending has squeezed budgets related to people’s livelihoods, and that the dangers of the Takaichi administration should be truthfully exposed to the public.
Fukushima criticized the Japan Innovation Party, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s coalition partner, for advocating cuts to medical spending, warning that such moves would increase the burden on individuals.
Meanwhile, Kyodo News reported on Monday that Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and a former prime minister, said at the party’s headquarters that many statements made by the Takaichi administration lacked careful consideration and were unsettling. He said his party would firmly “stand up to” the Takaichi administration.