Japanese media reports and experts are saying that Japan would team with the US in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. That’s as there have been increased Chinese military plane incursions near Taiwan in recent months.
A report in Nikkei Asia on Sunday said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi on March 16. Kishi said with the increased Chinese military plane incursions, Japan and the US are working together to figure out how to defend Taiwan in the event of Chinese aggression.
Experts are also saying that Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will likely take a harder stance on China. The reports came out as Suga prepares to meet with US President Joe Biden for the first time next month.
Stimson Center Senior Fellow Yuki Tatsumi said that the upcoming meeting between Biden and Suga must be to discuss key issues. The two have already met many times via videoconference and the two countries have also signed an initial agreement on special measures.
Tastsumi says that Japan needs to find a balance between China and US relations which will be a challenge for Suga. From the government’s interaction with the Biden administration, she says it looks like Japan will take a harder stance on China. At the same time, just as the US, Suga will also need to find areas of cooperation with China to achieve a balance.
George Mason University Professor Wan Ming said to the Voice of America that Suga has been facing criticism domestically due to his son’s scandal. He needs to meet with Biden and show that he is able to strengthen the alliance with the United States.
Hofstra University Law Professor Julian Ku tweeted on Sunday: “China-Japan relations heading downhill. We now have Japanese gov’t sources are telling the press that they are seriously planning on how to support the US in a defense of Taiwan against China. This should make Chinese diplomats’ heads explode.”