Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama expressed concern that current Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks have undermined the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement and caused a serious setback to bilateral relations.

He noted that under the position established by the joint statement and related international documents, the Taiwan question is China's 'internal affair' and should not be interfered with by Japan.

Hatoyama called on Japanese society to seriously reflect on whether a political figure making such remarks should continue to serve as the country's leader, and urged broader public awareness of the Taiwan question and its implications for Japan-China relations.