China has yet to congratulate Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

SINGAPORE: After Sanae Takaichi was appointed as Prime Minister of Japan on Oct 21, congratulations quickly poured in from the leaders of different countries.

The leaders of the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, among others, all issued congratulatory messages within hours of her appointment, which is considered to be a milestone of sorts, given that she is Japan’s first female prime minister.

Taiwan was also prompt in offering “sincere congratulations” to Ms Takaichi on her election “at an extraordinary National Diet session”. Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te expressed “hope that Taiwan and Japan will continue to enhance the friendship while working together to advance the well-being of both peoples”.

Amid the well-wishes, the notable exception has been China, however. A week after Ms Takaichi’s appointment, China has been mum and has yet to acknowledge Japan’s new leader. This is a far cry from how China treated Ms Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, who received a congratulatory note from Beijing on the day he was formally elected as Prime Minister by the National Diet on October 1, 2024.

A piece published in The Diplomat on Oct 23 noted that China is “worried” about Japan’s new prime minister.

“She has consistently framed China as a strategic threat. Issues such as Taiwan and the historical memory, which have long been points of tension, are expected to see more rigid policies under her leadership. Past Japanese leaders have warned that any conflict over Taiwan could directly affect Japan’s security, a stance Takaichi is likely to reinforce,” the piece reads.

It also notes how the new prime minister is characterised as “anti-China” on Chinese social media, and that Beijing analysts are concerned that she could challenge three important “red lines”: Taiwan, territorial disputes, and historical interpretation.

Her friendliness towards Taipei appears to be a particular irritant, since she has said in the past that she’s open to a security partnership with Taiwan, and shortly before her appointment, she called Taiwan a “cherished friend”.

In April, Ms Takaichi met with President Lai, and in July, also met with Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung in Japan.

As for Beijing, the South China Morning Post quoted Guo Jiakun, the spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, as saying regarding Ms Takaichi’s appointment: “China noted the result of the vote and considers it Japan’s internal affair”.

When asked last Thursday (Oct 23) if a congratulatory message would be sent to the new prime minister, Mr Guo said, “China made proper arrangements according to diplomatic practices.” /TISG

Read also: Is Japan ready for its first female Prime Minister?