Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has privately told aides that she went "a bit too far" with her recent controversial remarks about Taiwan, according to Asahi Shimbun.
The comments made during a November 7 parliamentary session triggered strong backlash from Beijing, leading to suspended Japanese agricultural exports to China and mass cancellations of Chinese tourist bookings to Japan.
The report detailed how Takaichi prepared alone for her first budget committee session as prime minister, entering the official residence at 3am and spending three-and-a-half hours personally revising ministry-prepared answers with a red pen.
An official revealed Takaichi insisted on using "her own words" to establish what she called the "Takaichi administration's" response style. She worked in isolation, with secretaries only permitted to enter when summoned by a buzzer.
Though aware Taiwan would be raised during questioning, Takaichi declined staff advice and responded according to her own stance, ultimately making sensitive remarks that ignited diplomatic friction.
After the session, Takaichi privately acknowledged to close aides that she had "gone a bit too far," according to the report. Staffers also expressed regret for insufficient vetting, with one admitting the prime minister's office "was indeed inadequately prepared" in allowing the response without thorough verification.
The report described Takaichi's solitary political style, noting she hasn't attended any external social events since taking office one month ago, relying instead on aides including former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's core staff to build stable governance.
