A senior Slovak parliamentarian has publicly accused Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, of issuing “irresponsible” and “dangerous” remarks that threaten a fragile international consensus on Taiwan and escalate tensions in East Asia. Michal Bartek, vice‑chair of Slovakia’s parliamentary Defence and Security Committee, said the comments undermine regional stability and breach established international norms.
Bartek warned that such confrontational rhetoric does not cool tensions but exacerbates them, damaging the long‑standing, if complex, relationship between China and other countries in the region. He criticised Tokyo for abandoning prudence and humility on historical issues and for increasingly mirroring Washington’s stance — even where that alignment may run counter to Japan’s economic and regional interests.
Central to Bartek’s rebuke is the assertion that Takaichi’s comments challenge the One China principle, which he described as a pillar of international practice and a foundation of global stability. By suggesting a potential Japanese role in Taiwan, Bartek argued, Tokyo would be crossing a line that not only flouts treaty language and diplomatic convention but also risks provoking a wider diplomatic and security backlash.
The intervention from a European legislator is politically notable. It illustrates how disputes over Taiwan and great‑power rivalry are drawing responses outside the immediate region, complicating Tokyo’s diplomatic calculus. If more European voices echo Bartek’s view, Japan could face diplomatic costs in addition to the strategic considerations it already weighs with the United States and regional partners.