https://www.nikkansports.com/general/nikkan/news/202601140000269.html
Excerpt
With Takaichi's Diet response regarding a Taiwan emergency in mind, he said, "Prime Minister Takaichi made an inadvertent remark. However, I think that this, although it may be the complete opposite of her intention, has resulted in her receiving extremely high support." He continued, "Anti-China sentiment has existed (among the Japanese people) from the beginning. More than 70% of the population has anti-China sentiment, and in that context, the remarks made have elicited a strong reaction from China. As a result, people have said, 'They're bullying (the Prime Minister)' and 'They're doing that again.' I think the more economic sanctions China imposes, the more support is likely to rise." He added, "Right now, I think it's becoming a situation where what China is doing is not actually achieving its goals. Rather, I think that they are using that as leverage to achieve such a high approval rating."
On the other hand, he pointed out, "But the question is, how many people are actually benefiting from this? The online right-wingers think they're feeling good and benefiting, but in reality, there are many people who are losing out," referring to the real-world impact of China's economic sanctions. "If the economic sanctions become stronger, the losses will be felt by even more people. But even so, I think this could lead to people feeling that (Prime Minister Takaichi) is being 'bullied' and that they 'support her,'" he said.
"Anti-Chinese sentiment is very effective [in increasing Takaichi's approval ratings]" Analyst argues China's sanctions on Japan have only helped Takaichi politically
byu/jjrs injapannews
8 Comments
I love the fact that Japan runs off “feelings”. I hope this works out for them.
I think that most Japanese people are smart enough to understand pissing off a neighboring superpower is bad for Japan.
We do often assign anti-china stance with her popularity, but I think it might be a coincidence. Something else is driving her popularity.
As long as voters are aware of the consequences that “pissing off” China has on Japan, all is good. They just should not cry later when the chickens come home to roost.
Who cares nothing for non Japanese on Reddit to worry about. The Japanese will choose their own path and if it means worse economy that’s on them. In meantime I’m all for a lower yen. Bring in the crash
The Japanese are very brave; I hope they continue to persevere.
Voter turnout in Japan is extremely low, and talking about politics is considered taboo even in the workplace, so no one talks about politics. Even those who do talk about politics have little knowledge of it, and even if they show even the slightest interest, their ignorance quickly leads to anti-China attitudes. In a sense, this can be seen as a strategy by LDP President Takaichi, who has worked closely with the media. Even NHK uses various tropes to appeal to anti-China groups, such as deliberately lengthening its coverage of the Hong Kong fires to denigrate China and focusing on conflict sites.
Let’s see Japan’s economy in 2036. Many of China’s actions against Japan will take at least a decade to see negative long term impacts.
That’s a weird way to put a spin on things.
China’s wolf warrior bs backfired