Japanese premier says open to talks with China amid Taiwan tensions
Japan’s prime minister said on Wednesday she remains open to dialogue with China even as tensions between the two Asian powers rise over Taiwan and recent military encounters.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described China as an “important neighbor” and said Japan’s commitment to building “constructive and stable relations” has not changed since she took office. Speaking to reporters after an extraordinary session of parliament, she said Tokyo continues to keep channels of communication open despite growing disagreements.
Takaichi said Japan will clearly explain its stance to Beijing and the wider international community through diplomatic means, adding that her recent comments on national survival risks were consistent with positions held by previous Japanese governments and did not represent a policy shift.
Relations have deteriorated since Nov. 7, when Takaichi said a Chinese military attack on Taiwan could qualify as a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan under its security laws, potentially allowing Tokyo to exercise the right of collective self-defense. China reacted sharply, accusing Japan of provoking confrontation and responding with measures that included discouraging Chinese tourism to Japan and suspending imports of Japanese seafood.
Military tensions have also intensified. Japan said that on Dec. 6 Chinese J-15 fighter jets launched from the aircraft carrier Liaoning locked radar onto two Japanese F-15 aircraft over international waters southeast of Okinawa, an action Tokyo described as dangerous and escalatory. Beijing rejected the accusation, saying the maneuvers were routine, professional and conducted safely during training exercises.
Against this backdrop, Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held talks by phone with British Defence Secretary John Healey, according to Japan’s Defense Ministry. Koizumi briefed his counterpart on the radar-locking incident and the two sides reaffirmed their intention to strengthen defense cooperation and address shared security challenges in both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.
China has pushed back against Japan’s efforts to raise the issue with other partners. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tokyo should reflect on its own actions rather than seek international support for what he called “groundless explanations.” He urged Japan to correct what Beijing views as erroneous remarks, respect past commitments and act responsibly.
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