Storyline: A politician and a renowned author from China's Taiwan have criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her blatant and provocative rhetoric on Taiwan, which they say is a challenge to the international order established in the aftermath of World War II. At a Diet meeting on Nov 7, Takaichi claimed that a "Taiwan emergency" involving the use of military force by the Chinese mainland could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, which could prompt the Self-Defense Forces to exercise the right of collective self-defense. On Monday, Takaichi insisted her remarks were in line with the government's longstanding view and that she had no intention to retract the remarks. "Sanae Takaichi, as the prime minister, has escalated the Taiwan question into a something concerning Japan's survival, which is a severe and blatant challenge to the agreements between China and Japan as well as the post-WWII international order. Such flagrant militaristic rhetoric blatantly interferes in China's internal affairs, seriously endangers peace across the Taiwan Strait and the region, and undermines the post-WW II order in Asia. She broke Japan's promise made upon its surrender in WWII and laid bare her political stance influenced by imperial and militaristic ideologies. That's why she lacks respect for historical lessons," said Xu Mengxiang, deputy general secretary of the Labor Party of Taiwan. "If Japan wants to be a true 'normal country,' it must sincerely reflect on and apologize for the mistakes it has committed in history. It must also stay vigilant against the potential rise of right-wing forces and the resurgence of militarism to avoid a repeat of history," Xu said. Lan Po-chou, a Taiwan author, said Takaichi intends to revive militarism in Japan. "It is not the first time Takaichi has made the remarks. Japan had never done enough self-reflection for its militaristic history. Takaichi is attempting to exploit the cross-Strait issue to revive Japan's militarism," he said. Shotlist: FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown: 1. Various of National Diet building, national flag Taipei City, Taiwan, China - Recent: 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xu Mengxiang, deputy general secretary of Labor Party (starting with shot 1/partially overlaid with shot 3): "Sanae Takaichi, as the prime minister, has escalated the Taiwan question into a something concerning Japan's survival, which is a severe and blatant challenge to the agreements between China and Japan as well as the post-WWII international order. Such flagrant militaristic rhetoric blatantly interferes in China's internal affairs, seriously endangers peace across the Taiwan Strait and the region, and undermines the post-WW II order in Asia. She broke Japan's promise made upon its surrender in WWII and laid bare her political stance influenced by imperial and militaristic ideologies. That's why she lacks respect for historical lessons." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown: 3. Various of Liberal Democratic Party building, security guard [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 2024: 4. Various of pedestrians FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown: 5. Pedestrians Taipei City, Taiwan, China - Recent: 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xu Mengxiang, deputy general secretary of Labor Party: "If Japan wants to be a true 'normal country,' it must sincerely reflect on and apologize for the mistakes it has committed in history. It must also stay vigilant against the potential rise of right-wing forces and the resurgence of militarism to avoid a repeat of history." Tokyo, Japan - Oct 21, 2025: 7. Various of National Diet building Taipei City, Taiwan, China - Recent: 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Lan Po-chou, Taiwan writer (ending with shots 9-11): "It is not the first time Takaichi has made the remarks. Japan had never done enough self-reflection for its militaristic history. Takaichi is attempting to exploit the cross-Strait issue to revive Japan's militarism." FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 2024: 9. Traffic FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown: 10. Traffic FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 2024: 11. Various of cityscape [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]