Japan PM defends Taiwan remarks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi yesterday defended her description of a conflict over Taiwan as potentially amounting to an existential risk for Japan after a Chinese diplomat accused her of meddling in Beijing's internal affairs.

- 

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gestures as US President Donald Trump delivers a speech in front of US Navy personnel at the US naval base in Yokosuka on Oct 28.

(AFP)

Last Friday, Ms Takaichi said that if military force were to be used in a Taiwan conflict, including the use of warships, it could be considered a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. That classification is significant because it would provide a legal justification for Japan to deploy its military to help defend friendly nations.

“Although I did state a number of possible scenarios, I also said the government will make a comprehensive judgment on whether the situation constitutes a ‘survival-threatening situation’ taking into account all information,’ Ms Takaichi said yesterday when asked in parliament to clarify her position on the matter.