America supported Japan

There is tension between Japan and China regarding Taiwan. Meanwhile, America on Friday reiterated its support to Japan, describing its partnership as unbreakable. This statement has come at a time when China has strongly criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan.

On November 7, China expressed its protest over Takaichi’s statement that if China launched a military attack on Taiwan, it could create an existential threat to Japan—a situation in which Japan could exercise its right of collective self-defense.

America supported Japan

This statement given in the parliament indicates how the Japanese Defense Forces can take action in the event of a Taiwan crisis. China called it interference in its internal affairs, while America supported Japan and called this alliance necessary for regional stability.

US Ambassador to Japan George Glass, after talking to Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, described China’s reaction as provocative. According to Kyodo, Glass said that China’s actions are very harmful and undermine regional stability. He described China’s import ban on Japanese marine products as a classic example of Chinese economic pressure.

Glass also said the US remains committed to its defense of Japan, including the Senkaku Islands. These uninhabited islands located in the East China Sea are under the administration of Japan, but China claims them and calls them Diaoyu. China has also increased patrolling around these islands.

What did Takaichi say?

Regarding Takaichi’s statement on Japan, China has insisted that Takaichi withdraw his statement so that the relations between the two countries can be stabilized, but Takaichi refused to do so on Friday. Takaichi, who has a tough stance on China, said that Japan’s stance regarding Taiwan has always been consistent, although he also expressed his desire for better relations with Beijing.

Before leaving for the G20 summit in South Africa, Takaichi said, I have repeatedly put forward this position in my answers. The government’s policy is absolutely clear and uniform,

China took many strict steps

Beijing has taken several retaliatory measures, including reimposing a ban on imports of Japanese seafood — which was recently lifted — and issuing an advisory for its citizens not to travel to Japan for now. China is the largest source of tourists coming to Japan, with about 7.4 million visits this year.

After the warning, huge bookings of Chinese passengers started getting cancelled. China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory.

On Friday, China expressed strong objection to Japan’s export of Patriot air-defense interceptor missiles to the US. This is the first time that Japan has exported weapons with such advanced technology after relaxing arms export rules.