(Jan 27): Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that while a hypothetical US-China clash wouldn’t immediately mean Japan will take military action, Japan will respond within legal limits should the US be attacked during a joint operation.
She said that a Taiwan crisis could instigate Japan and the US to take joint action to rescue their own citizens, adding that in such a situation there was no way Japan could forsake its long-time ally. The remarks were broadcast on TV Asahi Monday (Jan 26) evening.
“In a situation where the US military is attacked during a joint operation with Japan, the Japan-US alliance would collapse if Japan fled without doing anything,” she said. “It means that we will respond based on a comprehensive judgment of what is happening at that time, within the limits of our current laws.”
“I just want to be clear that we are not talking about Japan going out and taking military action if there’s a clash between China and the US,” she added.
The comments are in line with previous remarks made by the prime minister but provide some detail on specific scenarios of a Taiwan contingency. They come after months of tension with China, after Takaichi made comments in parliament that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be considered a “survival-threatening situation” — a legal justification for Japan to deploy its troops.
Although Takaichi has said that her remarks in parliament do not indicate a change in policy and Japan’s position on military deployment remains unchanged, Beijing has sought a retraction and retaliated with travel warnings and export restrictions.
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Takaichi is now headed toward a snap election that she called in a bid to consolidate power in the more powerful lower house of parliament. A resounding victory would give her the mandate she needs to pursue her policies, which could include her more hawkish diplomatic stance on China.
So far, Japan’s response to China’s fury has been subdued. The extent of Japan’s response has been to correct inaccuracies in China’s claims.
Takaichi said in a news conference held last week that the door to dialogue with China remains open and that Japan continues to seek stable and constructive ties with its neighbour.
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