The first anniversary of Gao City's defense of "Taiwan has something going on", the Japanese government reiterates that its position remains unchanged

When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gave a reply to the Diet on November 7 last year, he stated that if China used force against Taiwan, it might constitute an "existential crisis situation" in which Japan would be able to exercise its right to collective self-defense, triggering a strong backlash from China. The defense will be one year old tomorrow. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reiterated today that the Japanese government's position on Taiwan has not changed at all, and has not responded directly to China's continued requests to withdraw the defense. He also emphasized that China is an important neighbor of Japan and hopes to establish constructive and stable Japan-China relations.

At a press conference after the cabinet meeting today, Kihara was asked about Takaichi's views on the first anniversary of the expiration of the "Taiwan incident" defense. He said that what constitutes an "existential crisis situation" must be judged by the government based on the individual specific circumstances of the actual incident and all information. "The government's position remains the same."

Kihara further pointed out that the Japanese government's position on Taiwan is completely consistent with the position expressed in the "Japan-China Joint Statement" in 1972, and "there has been no change." He also emphasized that China is an important neighbor of Japan, and Japan will comprehensively promote strategic and mutually beneficial relations, maintain communication on common issues, and strive to establish constructive and stable bilateral relations.

However, when reporters asked whether the Japanese government would consider accepting China's request to withdraw Takaichi's reply to the Diet last year, Kihara only said that "the government's repeatedly stated position has not changed" and did not directly answer whether to withdraw it.

In his defense before the House of Representatives Budget Committee on November 7 last year, Takaichi pointed out that if an emergency situation occurs in Taiwan, if it involves the use of force, it may constitute an "existential crisis situation" in Japan's security legal system. According to Japan's security-related laws passed in 2015, even if Japan itself is not directly attacked, if a country with close relations with Japan is attacked by force, causing Japan's survival to be threatened, and other legal requirements are met, Japan may exercise limited rights to collective self-defense.

This speech was seen as a clear statement by the Japanese Prime Minister on Taiwan's security relationship with Japan, triggering a strong backlash from Beijing. China regards the Taiwan issue as its core interest, believes that Takaichi's reply involves interference in China's internal affairs, and continues to demand that Japan withdraw relevant statements. As a result, Japan-China relations have fallen into long-term tension.

The Japanese government continues to adopt a dual-track stance. On the one hand, it does not change its legal interpretation of the "existential crisis situation" and has not clearly stated that it will withdraw its defense. On the other hand, it has repeatedly emphasized that the position of the 1972 "Japan-China Joint Statement" remains unchanged, trying to prevent the Taiwan issue from continuing to expand into a diplomatic conflict between Japan and China.

Regarding the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit, which is scheduled to be held in China from the 18th to the 19th of this month, whether Japan and China can arrange leaders' talks. When asked about the possibility today, Kihara only said that it is not appropriate to make a prejudgment at the moment and did not disclose specific arrangements.