On Thursday (Nov 13), former Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba stirred the pot on a TBS radio show 🎙️, challenging PM Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about a Taiwan contingency.
Ishiba argued Takaichi was “very close to claiming that a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency,” noting that past administrations have steered clear of defining exact responses to scenarios in the Taiwan question.
Last Friday (Nov 7), during a Diet hearing, Takaichi warned that military action from the Chinese mainland in a Taiwan emergency could become a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. Under current laws, this could trigger Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to exercise collective self-defense.
In Diet deliberations on Monday (Nov 10), Takaichi stood by her comments, insisting they align with the government’s longstanding view and refused to retract them.
From Beijing, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry called the remarks provocative for hinting at armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. They said the comments violate the one-China principle, the guiding principles of the four China-Japan political documents, and challenge China’s core interests and sovereignty. They urged Japan to retract the statements or bear the consequences.
With tensions on the rise, eyes in Tokyo and beyond are watching carefully. What’s next in this Asia debate? 🤔
Reference(s):
Shigeru Ishiba opposes Takaichi's wrongful remarks on Taiwan question
cgtn.com
