China, Japan must regain their composure

Tensions between China and Japan have escalated rapidly in recent weeks, raising serious concerns about the stability of Northeast Asia.

- WANG SON-TAEK

As both sides harden their positions and display military force, the scenario of an accidental conflict can no longer be dismissed as purely a remote possibility. The region once again stands at a dangerous crossroads.The current crisis began in early November, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that a potential conflict over Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. The remark implied that Tokyo might consider direct military involvement in a Taiwan contingency. Beijing viewed this as a direct challenge to the "one China" principle and an infringement on Chinese sovereignty, demanding that Japan retract the comment. Tokyo refused.

China responded with a dramatic show of force by deploying an aircraft carrier group and conducting large-scale military operations. Japan subsequently reported that Chinese carrier-borne aircraft locked fire-control radar on Japanese fighter jets, a move that suggested how easily miscalculation or technical error could trigger a dangerous confrontation. The prospect of full-scale war between China and Japan is almost unimaginable and would produce catastrophic consequences for both countries.