Japan PM's historic landslide reverberates in China

 

 Japan PM's historic landslide reverberates in China

This week we look at how Japan's latest national election ran counter to Beijing's wishes. After the administration of Chinese leader Xi Jinping began pressuring Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for a remark on Taiwan, her Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in a lower house election. The result reflects a strong sense of crisis among voters amid the salvos from Beijing. Bloggers hailing from China's main media outlets seem perplexed at the election result, with some concluding that Japan must be heading toward militarism.

The Japanese electorate's overwhelming reaction to China's strong-arming is a repeat of sorts; it resembles how the Xi administration's saber-rattling against Taiwan has backfired there. Since 2022, China has repeatedly held military drills near the island. But this rather helped the Democratic Progressive Party, which distances itself from China, remain in power for a third consecutive term.

Takaichi is scheduled to visit the U.S. and meet with President Donald Trump on March 19. How she tightens Japan's ties with Washington will provide a clue for where Tokyo-Beijing relations are heading.