International experts and political figures have voiced firm opposition to recent erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan, stressing that it seriously threatens peace and stability in the region and beyond. Takaichi's provocative rhetoric reflects Tokyo's accelerating right-ward political shift, according to Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and chairwoman of the Schiller Institute, a German think tank. "This is an attempt by Japan to return to the direction of imperial militarism, which does not have any grounds in reality - there is no place for an imperial, militarist Japan given the current strategic situation. So I believe it is a misguided policy that they are pursuing," she said. Takaichi's remarks erode the political foundation of China-Japan relations, as they go against the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, which states "The Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China." Japan should fully understand and respect China's position, which is that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. Former South African Ambassador to Portugal and High Commissioner to Kenya, Kingsley Makhubela, said that the Japanese prime minister's remarks could have a serious impact on regional stability. "Prime Minister Sanae, she made a bit of a big mistake by wanting to interfere on the Chinese domestic affairs. Her view that she's willing to defend Taiwan was ill-conceived and I think it's creating a serious security problem in that part of the world," Makhubela said. Former Chilean ambassador to China Jorge Heine also pointed out that the prime minister's irresponsible remarks have added uncertainty to Japan's own diplomatic efforts. "Some would say irresponsible in the sense that they changed the established policy of Japan. No Japanese prime minister until now said what she said in terms of Japan's reaction to a conflict situation in Taiwan. In that sense, it introduces a new variable, a new card into the foreign policy game," he said. SHOTLIST: Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025 1. Various of National Diet building, pedestrians; Germany - Recent 2. SOUNDBITE (German) Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder/chairwoman, Schiller Institute: "This is an attempt by Japan to return to the direction of imperial militarism, which does not have any grounds in reality - there is no place for an imperial, militarist Japan given the current strategic situation. So I believe it is a misguided policy that they are pursuing."; Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025 3. Various of National Diet building; Johannesburg, South Africa - Recent 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Kingsley Makhubela, former South African ambassador to Portugal/former high commissioner to Kenya: "Prime Minister Sanae, she made a bit of a big mistake by wanting to interfere on the Chinese domestic affairs. Her view that she's willing to defend Taiwan was ill-conceived and I think it's creating a serious security problem in that part of the world."; Tokyo, Japan - Nov 21, 2025 5. Various of protesters gathering outside Japan's Prime Minister's Office, holding placards, chanting slogans; Santiago, Chile - Recent 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jorge Heine, former Chilean ambassador to China: "Some would say irresponsible in the sense that they changed the established policy of Japan. No Japanese prime minister until now said what she said in terms of Japan's reaction to a conflict situation in Taiwan. In that sense, it introduces a new variable, a new card into the foreign policy game."; Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025 7. Various of Japanese Prime Minister's Office building, security guards. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]