Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who previously backed the creation of a regional military alliance along the lines of NATO, has asked the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to study the security situation in Asia, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s Taipei Office Chief Representative Kazuyuki Katayama said in a recent interview with the Liberty Times (sister newspaper of the Taipei Times).
Ishiba, also the head of the LDP, has proposed building a coalition of Asian countries that would function similarly to NATO, but he does not think such a coalition would happen in the near future, as other urgent diplomatic and security issues in Asia must be addressed first, Katayama said.
“Japan would engage in various studies on how Japan and like-minded allies could build a close and multi-layered network with the goal of reinforcing deterrence abilities,” Katayama said.
Photo: Reuters
Regarding the relationships among Taiwan, Japan and the US after Ishiba was elected, Katayama said that Taiwan is an extremely important partner and a precious friend to Japan, as they have shared democratic values. The two countries have close economic relations and frequent personnel exchanges, he said.
“The sincere friendship between Japan and Taiwan that is based on years of exchange would not change,” he said. “The main principle of Japan’s diplomatic and security policies is the US-Japan alliance. The Japanese government’s position of assuring regional safety and stability remains unchanged, so Japan will continue to deepen its practical partnership and exchanges with Taiwan.”
The US, Japan and Taiwan are solid partners and have worked together to combat natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, Katayama said, adding that it is only natural to maintain such a strong bond among the three nations.
Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is important to Japan and the international community, Katayama said, adding that such a position was also reiterated during Ishiba’s meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李強) last month.
The position of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait would not change regardless of changes in political situations in Japan and the US, he said.
“It has been the position of the Japanese government to support Taiwan’s bid to join the WHO with the status of an observer, as well as other international organizations. All G7 nations, including Japan, support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. They confirmed this position in the G7 leaders’ communique at the Apulia summit in June,” Katayama said.
Taiwan is a highly capable and responsible member of the international community and can make valuable contributions, he said.
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