China and Taiwan issued sharply contrasting responses after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, secured a landslide victory in the House of Representatives election.
China delivered a warning message using the proverb "no flower blooms for a hundred days," while Taiwan offered congratulations directly in Japanese and proposed cooperation.
On the 9th, "New Tanqin," a social media account under China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, stated, "As expected, Prime Minister Takaichi won her gamble." However, it added, "Takaichi used her remarkable skills to turn herself into a 'wanghong' (Chinese influencer) within three months, but this is merely 'no flower blooms for a hundred days.'"
In China, this proverb is used to suggest that power or popularity does not last long, or as a warning that a rapid rise may lead to an even faster fall.
"If you chase trends and traffic too aggressively, you're likely to face backlash, and momentary glory can instantly turn into universal criticism," New Tanqin added. "We've seen too many such cases."
The account compared Takaichi's pledges for massive fiscal stimulus and quantitative easing to former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who holds the record for the shortest tenure in UK history at 50 days.
"Economic policy is like walking a tightrope—lose your balance even slightly between stimulus and stability, and you'll fall into an unknown abyss," New Tanqin stated. "Former Prime Minister Truss pushed through large-scale tax cuts immediately after taking office, triggering a fiscal crisis that forced her resignation."
It then asked, "What will happen to Takaichi?" and answered, "Time will tell."
Regarding Taiwan and China-Japan relations, New Tanqin warned, "On the Taiwan issue, Japan will become more provocative, and China-Japan relations will become more turbulent. What we will face is a Japan that has become one level more hostile."
At the same time, the account emphasized the need for composure, stating, "We have no choice but to deal with Takaichi, and even if it's unwelcome, we must face it squarely."
Meanwhile, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te posted on X (formerly Twitter) in both Chinese and Japanese: "Through cooperation with Prime Minister Takaichi, I look forward to Taiwan and Japan joining hands based on shared values and a spirit of cooperation to confront challenges and promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region."
He assessed that the LDP's securing of a majority of seats demonstrated Prime Minister Takaichi's leadership and the trust of Japanese voters.