Former Japanese PM Ishiba repeats criticism of Takaichi's Taiwan remarks

File photo of former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. /VCG

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday criticized current Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan, stressing the importance of building stable relations between Japan and China, Mainichi Shimbun reported.

Ishiba stated in a speech in Tokyo that since the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in 1972, successive administrations have understood and respected China's position that Taiwan is a part of China, according to the report.

"It is something that must not be changed, and we have proceeded with tremendous caution," he added.

It's not the first time Ishiba has criticized Takaichi. During a television program last Sunday, he criticized her for straining Japan-China relations by making the wrongful remarks. He stated that successive Japanese governments have managed bilateral relations very carefully, handling things with truly meticulous care, and the current administration should fully understand Japan's long-standing basic position and remain cautious in the implementation of policies in the future.

(With input from Xinhua)