After Sanae Takaichi answered a hypothetical question on Taiwan in parliament last month, China’s response was explosive, crudely lashing out at the Japanese prime minister and weaponizing trade to try to damage the country’s economy with new fish import bans and travel warnings.
Beijing then proceeded in an effort to cause reputational damage with letters to the United Nations and direct pleas to World War II allies, attempting to resurrect memories of the long-dead specter of 1930s Japanese militarization. Beijing issued daily threats that more repercussions would follow unless Takaichi retracted her accurate statement.
Yet after a month, little to no economic or reputational damage was inflicted on Japan and no retraction has been issued or will be.