Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's stance on the Taiwan question is driven by U.S. strategic interests rather than Japan's security realities, Japan's former Foreign Ministry official Magosaki Ukeru said on Thursday.
During a Diet hearing on Nov 7, Takaichi claimed that a Taiwan emergency involving the use of military vessels or force by the Chinese mainland could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. Under such conditions, Japanese law would allow the country to exercise the right of collective self-defense, effectively intervening in China’s internal affairs.
Commenting on Takaichi's remarks in an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Magosaki also said her claims violate the one-China principle and undermine the foundations of China–Japan relations.
"Taiwan is a part of China. Why should it be related to Japan's 'survival-threatening situation'? For Japan, it mainly concerns ship movements on the Pacific side, but there is no direct link to Japan's 'survival-threatening situation'. This rhetoric is being deliberately fueled to create tension, undermine China-Japan relations, and push Japan to further cooperate with the United States' strategy. That is likely Takaichi's intention," the former official said.
Takaichi’s Taiwan stance driven by US interests, not Japan’s security realities: former Japanese official
