Japan Shows a Way to Stand Up to Chinese Intimidation: Analysts

Beijing’s coercive tactics ‘don’t have to succeed,’ says an Asia affairs analyst.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 17, 2025. Kiyoshi Ota/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

WASHINGTON—For years, the Chinese regime has been working to isolate Taiwan on the world stage, poaching its allies while leveraging coercive tactics to undermine the island’s international standing.

The campaign has worked to some extent, with Taiwan losing 10 allies to China since 2016. But in Japan, it met a roadblock.