Why did Japan's new PM spark alarm in Asia?

Why did Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi trigger such shock with her recent remarks on Taiwan? Is China really "overreacting", as some Western critics say? Is Takaichi trying to please the US?

We sat down with Victor Gao, chair professor at Soochow University, to unpack the historical, legal and geopolitical stakes behind Takaichi's provocative remarks.

Key quotes from the interview:
· "Prime Minister Takaichi is in violation of that constitutional provision. In that sense, she's a criminal under Japanese law."
· "How can Japan today imagine it can involve itself militarily against China? That will be the most serious crime you can ever think about. "
· "The Americans are sophisticated enough to reach the conclusion that Japanese fascism should never be allowed to raise its dangerous head because it will not only be a menace to China. It will be a menace to the American people."