https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/j...y-pm-l7dnhdfn0
Japan pledges to defend Taiwan if China attacks, says deputy prime minister Taro Aso
Japan has said it would join America in defending Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, treating any such attack as an “existential threat” that could lead to an assault on its own territory.
The statement by Taro Aso, the deputy prime minister, signals a shift in policy towards Beijing. “If a major problem occurred in Taiwan, it would not be going too far to say that it could be an existential threat [for Japan],” he said.
“In such a case, Japan and the United States will have to work together to defend Taiwan.” He added: “We need to consider seriously that [the southern islands of] Okinawa could be next.”
There was a swift and angry response from Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory. Last week President Xi promised to complete “reunification” of the island.
Zhao Lijian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, denounced Aso’s remarks as “extremely wrong and dangerous” and said that a diplomatic protest had been made. He said that Japan had not learnt the lessons of history and its “countless crimes of aggression against China”.
Zhao added: “China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to such remarks. Today’s China is not the China of the past. We will never allow any country to meddle with Taiwan affairs in any way. No one should underestimate the strong determination, firm will and powerful ability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty.”
After decades in which it avoided confronting Beijing, Japan’s conservative government is meeting Chinese assertiveness with an increasing outspokenness, and pushing the limits of the post-Second World War pacifist constitution. Aso is the latest leader to express concern about Chinese intentions in Taiwan and a determination to stand up to any attempt to “reunify” the island by force…..