Former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso’s remark on Tuesday that his country must show “the resolve to fight” to defend Taiwan from attack was in line with Tokyo’s official stance, a lawmaker close to Aso said on a TV show late on Wednesday.
Aso, vice president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said in Taipei that Japan, the US and others must show strong resolve to come to Taiwan’s defense if it were attacked, signaling deterrence against China.
A spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said that Beijing urges Japan to abide by the “one China” principle and refrain from supporting “pro-Taiwan independence forces” in any way.
Photo: Presidential Office via AP
Keisuke Suzuki, an LDP lawmaker who accompanied Aso on his visit to Taiwan this week, said on a BS Fuji talk show that Aso had discussed the issue with Japanese government officials, indicating that Aso’s view did not deviate from the official position.
“The comment was not lawmaker Taro Aso’s personal remark, but a result of arrangements with government insiders,” Suzuki said. “I think the Japanese government clearly regards this as the official line.”
Aso was the most senior Japanese political official to visit Taiwan since 1972, when Japan normalized diplomatic relations with China.
Japan is amid a historic boost to defense spending, while the US last month unveiled a Taiwan weapons aid package worth up to US$345 million.
Asked about Aso’s speech, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Tokyo’s top government spokesperson, on Wednesday said that Japan has consistently hoped for a peaceful settlement thorough dialogue on issues regarding Taiwan.
Asked whether Japan would deploy its military to Taiwan if a crisis should emerge, Matsuno declined to comment, saying the government would not answer a hypothetical question.
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