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
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Monday its ultimate aim in 2026 is to raise a total of 33 billion U.S. dollars to support 135 million people through 23 country operations and six plans for refugees and migrants.
OCHA noted its immediate priority for next year is to save 87 million lives with 23 billion U.S. dollars in funding.
The United Nations and its partners on Monday launched the 2026 global humanitarian appeal to save millions of lives where shocks hit the hardest -- in wars, climate disasters, earthquakes, epidemics and wherever crop failures occur, the office said.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher on Monday briefed the media on the newly released Global Humanitarian Overview 2026, an annual assessment of global humanitarian needs and how to respond to them, and provides an analysis of the drivers of needs and an overview of the resources required to support people targeted for assistance.
"Our priority for 2026 is to save 87 million lives. The plan includes 29 more detailed plans covering 50 countries. This includes 4 billion dollars to reach 3 million across the occupied Palestinian territories, 2.8 billion for 20 million people in Sudan, the world's largest displacement crisis, and 2 billion for the 7 million Sudanese forced to flee. It includes 1.4 billion to save 4.9 million lives in Myanmar and those fleeing the crisis there, and much, much more," he said.
UN office aims to raise 33 bln U.S. dollars to support 135 mln people in 2026
