Tensions remain high between Japan and China over Taiwan. Meanwhile, the United States on Friday reiterated its support for Japan, calling its partnership unbreakable. This statement comes amid strong criticism from China over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan.
China protested Takaichi’s statement on November 7 that if China launched a military attack on Taiwan, it could pose an existential threat to Japan—a situation in which Japan could exercise the right to collective self-defense.
America supported Japan
The statement in parliament hints at how the Japanese defense forces might act in the event of a Taiwan crisis. China condemned it as interference in its internal affairs, while the United States supported Japan, calling the alliance essential for regional stability.
US Ambassador to Japan George Glass, after speaking with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, described China’s response as provocative. According to Kyodo, Glass said China’s actions are deeply damaging and undermine regional stability. He described China’s import ban on Japanese seafood products as a classic example of Chinese economic coercion.
Glass also said the US remains committed to defending Japan, including the Senkaku Islands. These uninhabited islands in the East China Sea are under Japanese administration, but China claims them and calls them Diaoyu. China has also increased patrols around these islands.
What did Takaichi say?
China has insisted that Takaichi retract his remarks about Japan to stabilize relations between the two countries, but Takaichi refused to do so on Friday. Takaichi, who has taken a tough stance on China, said Japan’s position on Taiwan has always been consistent, though he also expressed a desire for better relations with Beijing.
“I have repeatedly stated this position in my responses. The government’s policy is very clear and consistent,” Takaichi said before leaving for the G20 summit in South Africa.
China took several strict steps
Beijing has taken several retaliatory measures, including reimposing a ban on Japanese seafood imports—which had only recently been lifted—and issuing an advisory to its citizens not to travel to Japan for the time being. China is Japan’s largest source of tourists, with approximately 7.4 million visits this year.
The warning has led to a massive cancellation of bookings by Chinese travelers, who consider Taiwan an integral part of their territory.
On Friday, China strongly objected to Japan’s export of Patriot air-defense interceptor missiles to the US, marking the first time Japan has exported such advanced technology weapons since relaxed arms export rules.
