Uchikura & Co., LLC

 

For decades, the Chinese Communist Party has used anti-Japan sentiment as a political tool to divert public frustration away from its own failures and the contradictions of communist rule. This is a common tactic used by authoritarian governments: when domestic problems grow, create an external enemy.

 

When Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office and stated that “a Taiwan crisis would be a threat to Japan’s security,”Beijing reacted strongly and began attacking Japan rhetorically once again. However, the result was not what the CCP expected.

 

Instead of intimidating Japan, China’s response caused Japan to unite.

 

Recent approval ratings show that Takaichi’s leadership has widespread support: her overall approval rating is between 70% and 75%, and among young people aged 18 to under 30, her approval rating exceeds 95%. Rather than fostering fear or division, the Chinese pressure appears to have strengthened domestic confidence in Japan’s leadership and direction.

 

This is deeply ironic. The CCP has long used nationalism and hostility toward Japan to rally its own population. Yet now, by escalating its rhetoric and pressure, China has unintentionally triggered the same effect inside Japan—without Japan even attacking China or the CCP directly.

 

Japan did not change its tone toward China. It merely stated a simple strategic reality: instability in Taiwan would directly affect Japan’s security. The CCP turned that into a confrontation—and in doing so, pushed Japanese public opinion and political forces closer together.

 

What Beijing achieved was the opposite of its goal. Rather than isolating or weakening Japan, it strengthened Japanese unity and resolve. In effect, the CCP used its own propaganda tactics on Japan—and lost control of the outcome.

 

It may go down as one of the most self-defeating moves in recent East Asian politics.

 

But this is just my opinion.