Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. Yonhap News

Poet and ColumnistSanae Takaichi, the 104th female Prime Minister of Japan, is stirring up a heated debate. It’s not just a topic of discussion; she is making destructive remarks that impact the Northeast Asian security landscape. 

Takaichi stated that Japan's Self-Defense Forces would counter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. As Prime Minister, this is a highly appropriate security stance for Taiwan and Japan's own security. However, it seems China cannot easily accept this. 

This is like adding fuel to a burning fire. China is currently angered. All circumstances are unfavorable for them to invade Taiwan. While it would be ideal to complete unification by annexing Taiwan, their military capability to execute this is severely lacking. 

China understands how dangerous an invasion of Taiwan would be from Russia's example. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to its complete collapse. For China, becoming an enemy of the world would be a nightmare. 

From China's perspective, which highly values its reputation, this must be infuriating. Therefore, when something is needed to restore this reputation, Sanae Takaichi has appeared at the opportune moment. 

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan is an urgent issue for Japan and South Korea, as it is for the United States. If the U.S. loses Taiwan, it will be unable to prevent China's advance into the Pacific. If Japan loses Taiwan, its sea lanes to Southeast Asia and Europe will be cut off. For South Korea to even send one ship, it must tread carefully around China. 

For Japan, defending Taiwan is a matter of national destiny. Therefore, if China invades Taiwan, Japan will have no choice but to fight with all its might. Not only the Self-Defense Forces but Japan will have to impose a total mobilization order on its entire population. Thus, Sanae Takaichi has spoken what Japan must naturally do. 

On the other hand, China has conveyed its stance through the chilling statement of its Consul General in Japan, threatening to behead Sanae Takaichi. Perhaps, as a follow-up to this, China will create military tensions and simultaneously carry out various retaliatory measures such as trade sanctions, tourism bans, and a Hallyu ban extension, whatever it takes to vent its frustration. 

However, the possibility of actually assassinating Sanae Takaichi or engaging in a limited conflict is nonexistent. It would be a grave problem if Japan were to rearm under the guise of an opportunity like invading Taiwan. Therefore, armed conflict with Japan, let alone an invasion of Taiwan, can only remain a pipe dream.  Even if they send vessels to the Senkaku Islands, it will be nothing more than a show to save face.

Chinese weapons are already known worldwide for their poor quality. Submarines are so noisy they are called "underwater tractors" and have even been known to sink. Even their nuclear submarines, hastily copied, have sunk in the Yellow Sea. Destroyers and Aegis ships are so poorly performing that they are said to be used in human wave tactics, overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers. Aircraft carriers, including the Fujian, are essentially large, intimidating vessels. 

The Chinese military is known to extract missile fuel to grill meat. They train with wooden sleepers attached to tanks, and when stuck in mud, they lay down sleepers to get out. Their fighter jets cannot be used on humid days. 

Self-propelled howitzers "dance" after firing a single shot, and their so-called stealth capabilities are easily visible. If they were to confront Japan, all these deficiencies would be exposed. Therefore, they are in a position where they can only curse, let alone wage war. Furthermore, with China's economy in freefall, where will it get the money to replace all these weapons?

Thus, a barking dog does not bite. While the threat to behead Sanae Takaichi is an unprecedented diplomatic rudeness, China is in a position where it must at least strongly curse to save face. 

The problem lies with the Republic of Korea. Sanae Takaichi is also touching upon the Dokdo issue. Recently, our Black Eagles team conducted training for a performance in the Middle East over Dokdo. In response, Japan refused refueling in Okinawa, indicating they have not given up on Dokdo. 

In response, China is supporting Dokdo as Korean territory. This is a ploy to draw us into their conflict with Japan. While the time is not yet ripe, if we were to engage in a confrontation with Japan, and if the Republic of Korea were to reclaim Tsushima Island, what would Japan do? With our defense capabilities ranked fifth in the world, we are no longer the South Korea of the past.

Sanae Takaichi was born in 1961, making her 64 years old. She is a product of Japan's far-right political system. She is leading political reforms in Japan, such as voluntarily cutting her salary and advocating for a reduction in the number of Diet members. She can be called the Asian Iron Lady. Therefore, China should not underestimate this female prime minister. 

The author is appalled by the current behavior of Communist China, which is invading the Republic of Korea, and its highly realistic nature. Communist China is invading the Republic of Korea in all sectors. Therefore, our urgent issue is not with Japan, but with the Chinese Communist Party. 

However, the author believes that Japan, which harbors a spirit of aggression behind us and has not abandoned it, must also be made to pay a price. It is likely that during Sanae Takaichi's tenure, appropriate countermeasures will be announced. 

However, for now, the author is curious about the process and outcome of how the Chinese Communist Party and Japanese right-wing elements will manage and conclude this situation. But it is obvious. 

Sanae Takaichi's head will not be severed. Even if Takaichi were to say she is prepared to burn to death, the Chinese Communist Party will not engage in further loss of face. Since neither side has anything to gain from fighting, both buffoons will froth at the mouth in front of the world and return to their respective homes. 

Jeong Jae-hak, Poet and Columnist