Kishi Nobuo, Japan’s defence minister, said in an interview on Tuesday that Japan cannot “remain outside” of Taiwanese developments. According to him, as Taiwan and Japan share similar ideals and are close neighbours, the fate of the country is critical to Japan’s security.
Another statesman, Sato Masahisa who is a member of the House of Councillors and the head of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Foreign Affairs Division, said on Wednesday that China is attempting to annex Taiwan, and that the next six years will be crucial. He stated that when China attacks Taiwan, the island prefecture of Okinawa in Japan might undoubtedly be invaded for strategic purposes.
Following the Japanese government’s strong statements of support, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) responded on Thursday, emphasizing that Taiwan is an essential hub in East Asia’s first island chain and plays an integral role in regional peace and prosperity. Taipei will cooperate closely with Tokyo and other like-minded allies to safeguard democratic ideals and a rules-based international order, according to the news agency.
MOFA further added “Taiwan and Japan enjoy close and cordial relations, share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and have strong economic and trade links as well as personnel exchanges.”
