Japan said Friday that its position on Taiwan has not changed, amid a spat with Beijing following comments from hawkish new premier Sanae Takaichi about a possible attack by China on the self-ruled island.
“Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are important not only for Japan’s security but also for the stability of the international community,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters.
“It is the consistent position of the Japanese government that we hope for a peaceful resolution of issues surrounding Taiwan through dialogue,” he said.
“The Japanese government’s position on Taiwan remains unchanged and is consistent with the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique.”
The 1972 communique normalised bilateral relations with Japan, acknowledging Beijing’s “One China” policy.
China claims the democratic island as part of its territory and has said it will not renounce using force to bring it under its control.
Takaichi had implied last week that armed attacks on Taiwan could warrant Japan to support the island militarily.
China said on Friday that it had summoned the Japanese ambassador and made “serious demarches” over Takaichi’s comments, Beijing said.
“If anyone dares to interfere with China’s unification cause in any form, China will surely strike back hard,” a statement added.
Kihara said that Japan’s envoy “once again explained to the Chinese side the intent of Prime Minister Takaichi’s response and our government’s position, and refuted the remarks”.
He added that Japan “strongly urged China to take appropriate action” after a Chinese diplomat in Japan threatened to decapitate Takaichi.
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