Japan Stands with Taiwan as China Resorts to More Threats

Lai Ching-te's inauguration as the new president of Taiwan on May 20 was perhaps this month's most significant event for Japan and Asia. Lai, who is the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, assumed office through democratic elections.

The impact of this event is evident from the reaction of the Chinese officials. They vehemently criticized Lai's inauguration, labeling him a proponent of Taiwan's independence. Among the officials was Wang Yi, a member of the Communist Party's Politburo and the Chinese foreign minister.

Japan's Reaction

The inauguration was covered in the article below, published on May 20 and written by JAPAN Forward's diplomatic correspondent Duncan Bartlett.

• Japan to Taiwan: We Salute Your Bravery

Bartlett discussed Japan's message of support for President Lai, which described Taiwan as an "extremely crucial partner" sharing common values. 

Additionally, he reported that around 30 members of Japan's Parliamentary Council visited Taipei to express support for the new president and Japan's friendship with Taiwan.

Bartlett also noted Japan's efforts to maintain peace. This included Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to Paraguay in early May. Paraguay is the only South American nation with diplomatic ties to Taiwan. During the visit, Kishida and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña reaffirmed that attempts to unilaterally change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait by force will not be tolerated.

Related developments noted in the article were the Japanese government's attempts to enhance its defense capabilities in a bid to prevent conflict. Another was Japan's participation in the inaugural trilateral summit with the United States and the Philippines held in Washington in April.

Escalating Threats

China, in contrast, is behaving in the exact opposite of preserving peace. This was evident in Ambassador Wu Jianghao's remarks at the Chinese Embassy in Japan on May 20. He warned Japan against aligning with the United States in supporting Taiwan to "split China." He threatened that otherwise, "Japanese people will be dragged into the fire."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned Wu's remarks as "extremely inappropriate" at a press conference on May 22. He also revealed that Japan had lodged a stern protest with Beijing against such rhetoric.

This isn't the first time Wu has made provocative statements prompting repeated protests from the Japanese government. Some members of the Japanese Diet are calling for Wu to be declared persona non grata and expelled from the country. Wu's threatening rhetoric only serves to foster backlash.

In his inaugural speech on May 20, President Lai called on China to "stop intimidating Taiwan." At the same time, he stated his intention to bolster Taiwan's military capabilities to maintain the status quo. He also pledged to establish Taiwan's economic security and advance cooperation with "democratic countries around the world." Lai's response was far more mature than Ambassador Wu's. 

Continuing Solidarity

In late April, about 170 Taiwanese legislators visited Japan. They paid their respects at the grave of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Joining the delegation, I saw Taiwanese people of various ages forming a respectful line before Abe's grave. They presented flowers and bowed deeply in prayer, some visibly moved to tears.

This visit was organized by the Friends of Abe Shinzo Association in Taiwan, led by former Foreign Minister Mark Chen. The organization extends financial support to Japanese students studying in Taiwan.

At a luncheon following the visit, Chen conveyed his desire for the ongoing development of friendly relations between the two regions. He emphasized that this should be pursued with the mindset that "a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency," quoting Abe.

Several young delegation members mentioned it was their first time in Japan and expressed a strong desire to visit again. Even after Abe's death, the seeds of Japan-Taiwan relations he planted continue to flourish.

The more China threatens its neighbors, the more estranged it will become. In Japan, calls are growing to enhance deterrence against China by fortifying its fundamental defense capabilities and engaging in security dialogues with Taiwan and the US.

The world is in turmoil. Amid escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, the US and Japan's relations with China will bear significant implications for global stability. JAPAN Forward is closely monitoring the situation in Taiwan, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping the future of Asia and the world.

Watch for the next issue on June 17.

JAPAN Forward will be entering its eighth year in June. Join us as we continue to share the true face of Japan with the world. For inquiries, please call 0570-033-433 (Sankei iD) or email us at info@japan-forward.com.

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Yasuo Naito, Editor in Chief, JAPAN Forward