Storyline: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent provocative remarks regarding the Taiwan region have drawn criticism from many Japanese citizens who advocate a good neighborly relationship between Japan and other countries. In street interviews with CGTN on Monday, many residents in Osaka said they are concerned that Takaichi's remarks could affect Japan's relations with China and hope the situation will not escalate further. Most of the interviewees considered Takaichi's remarks inappropriate and agreed that respecting other countries' positions is the baseline for good relations. "No matter which country it is, we should always be respectful. We should respect and consider their position. And we must speak with that sense in mind," said an Osaka resident. "Because we want to maintain good relations with all countries. These remarks will definitely have an impact," said another resident. Others stressed the importance of maintaining friendly relations within the region. "I think it's important to respect each other. It's better to speak about other countries from a place of respect, when expressing your views. There is no doubt that the neighboring countries will be dragged into this. I just hope the situation will not escalate," a resident said. "I saw a media commentator said that China and Japan are neighbors, close neighbors. So of course, there will be times when they agree to disagree. There's bound to be times they argue and times they make up. Through these interactions, they have built a close relationship. I find myself in agreement with that. Personally, I just hope the situation will not escalate further," said another resident. Takaichi recently said 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. Despite multiple remonstrances from China, the Japanese side has refused to retract the remarks. Shotlist: FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Nov 2024: 1. Various of traffic, pedestrians Osaka, Japan - Nov 17, 2025: 2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given): "No matter which country it is, we should always be respectful. We should respect and consider their position. And we must speak with that sense in mind." FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 29, 2024: 3. Pedestrians Osaka, Japan - Nov 17, 2025: 4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given): "Because we want to maintain good relations with all countries. These remarks will definitely have an impact." FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 29, 2024: 5. Pedestrians, shops Osaka, Japan - Nov 17, 2025: 6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given)(Partially overlaid with shot 7): "I think it's important to respect each other. It's better to speak about other countries from a place of respect, when expressing your views. There is no doubt that the neighboring countries will be dragged into this. I just hope the situation will not escalate." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 29, 2024: 7. Pedestrians, traffic, shops [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 8. Pedestrians, traffic, shops Osaka, Japan - Nov 17, 2025: 9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given)(partially overlaid with shot 10): "I saw a media commentator said that China and Japan are neighbors, close neighbors. So of course, there will be times when they agree to disagree. There's bound to be times they argue and times they make up. Through these interactions, they have built a close relationship. I find myself in agreement with that. Personally, I just hope the situation will not escalate further." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 29, 2024: 10. Pedestrians, traffic, shops [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Nov 2024: 11. Street view, pedestrians [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]