Diplomatic Strain: Japan Responds to Chinese Allegations on Taiwan

Japan rejects a Chinese accusation at the U.N. that Tokyo threatens armed intervention over Taiwan. This tension arises from a statement by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, suggesting Japan might respond to a Chinese attack on Taiwan, leading to strained diplomatic relations and canceled cultural events in China.

Japan has strongly refuted a Chinese letter addressed to the United Nations, dismissing allegations that Tokyo posed a threat of armed intervention concerning Taiwan. The response came from Japan's U.N. ambassador, Kazuyuki Yamazaki, who clearly labeled the accusations as unfounded and inconsistent with reality.

These tensions sparked when China's U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of breaching international law by suggesting a military response to a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan. Japan maintains that its policy focuses on passive defense, and Yamazaki asserts that China's claims contradict this stance.

The controversy has intensified Japan-China relations, impacting not just diplomatic ties but also cultural exchanges, as evidenced by the cancellation of concerts in China featuring Japanese artists. Efforts to mitigate these tensions included communications between Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing the geopolitical complexity involving major global powers, with Taiwan remaining a critical flashpoint.

(With inputs from agencies.)