Japan's new government signalled on Tuesday a more assertive position on China's aggressive posture towards self-ruled Taiwan, suggesting it would consider options and prepare for "various scenarios", while reaffirming close U.S. ties.
Taiwan and broader relations with China are likely to dominate security policies and foreign relations from the outset of new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration.
Tension has been rising over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory to be taken by force if necessary. Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend its freedoms and democracy.
In recent days Taiwan has reported 148 Chinese air force planes flying into the island's air defence zone and Taiwan government leaders have said it needs to be on alert for "over the top" Chinese military activity.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, asked about the Taiwan situation, said he hoped "this matter is resolved peacefully between the two parties through direct talks".
"Additionally, instead of simply monitoring the situation, we hope to weigh the various possible scenarios that may arise to consider what options we have, as well as the preparations we must make," Motegi said.
Motegi, along with Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi, were kept on in the new cabinet unveiled on Monday, which analysts said indicated a focus on strong security ties with the United States.
Motegi's comments on Taiwan mark a departure from the past by explicitly speaking of possible involvement, and were also aimed at drawing international attention to the issue and pressing China, analysts said.
"That part was always unspoken ... but this time, they're taking a stronger stand," said Yoichiro Sato, an international relations professor at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
Robert Ward, a London-based senior fellow for Japanese Security Studies at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the change in the way Japan was articulating its concerns about Taiwan was significant.
"It is drawing a line of sorts and thus creating expectations," Ward said.
"The new government will continue with the harder line, as Motegi is showing. This fits with Japan's broader push to balance China from a position of strength."
Japan's new government signalled on Tuesday a more assertive position on China's aggressive posture towards self-ruled Taiwan, suggesting it would consider options and prepare for "various scenarios", while reaffirming close U.S. ties.
Taiwan and broader relations with China are likely to dominate security policies and foreign relations from the outset of new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration.
Tension has been rising over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory to be taken by force if necessary. Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend its freedoms and democracy.
In recent days Taiwan has reported 148 Chinese air force planes flying into the island's air defence zone and Taiwan government leaders have said it needs to be on alert for "over the top" Chinese military activity.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, asked about the Taiwan situation, said he hoped "this matter is resolved peacefully between the two parties through direct talks".
"Additionally, instead of simply monitoring the situation, we hope to weigh the various possible scenarios that may arise to consider what options we have, as well as the preparations we must make," Motegi said.
Motegi, along with Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi, were kept on in the new cabinet unveiled on Monday, which analysts said indicated a focus on strong security ties with the United States.
Motegi's comments on Taiwan mark a departure from the past by explicitly speaking of possible involvement, and were also aimed at drawing international attention to the issue and pressing China, analysts said.
"That part was always unspoken ... but this time, they're taking a stronger stand," said Yoichiro Sato, an international relations professor at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
Robert Ward, a London-based senior fellow for Japanese Security Studies at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the change in the way Japan was articulating its concerns about Taiwan was significant.
"It is drawing a line of sorts and thus creating expectations," Ward said.
"The new government will continue with the harder line, as Motegi is showing. This fits with Japan's broader push to balance China from a position of strength."
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