Taiwan security directly linked to Japan, defence minister Kishi says

Nobuo Kishi said as Beijing strengthens its military, its balance with Taiwan is tipping heavily to the Chinese side

Taiwan is crucial for Tokyo, with the Luzon Strait to the south an important shipping lane for the energy tankers Japan relies on to power its economy

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Taiwan’s armed forces conduct a naval drill in Yilan county. File photo: AP

Published: 9:24am, 25 Jun 2021Updated: 9:07pm, 25 Jun 2021

Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said the security of Taiwan was directly linked with that of Tokyo, as tensions around the island build up and its defences are increasingly overshadowed by China’s military might.

The comments from a cabinet minister known for his close ties to Taipei came a week after China sent 28 warplanes near Taiwan, in the latest ratcheting up of military pressure around the democratically ruled island, 110km from Japan at its nearest point. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

“The peace and stability of Taiwan is directly connected to Japan and we are closely monitoring ties between China and Taiwan, as well as Chinese military activity,” Kishi said in an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday.

“As China strengthens its military, its balance with Taiwan is tipping heavily to the Chinese side,” he said, adding the gap is widening every year.

Taiwan is crucial for Tokyo, with the Luzon Strait to the south an important shipping lane for the energy tankers resource-poor Japan relies on to power its economy.

On April 17, Kishi visited Yonaguni, the nearest Japanese island to Taiwan and network FNN reported him as saying days later at a ruling party seminar that if Taiwan “turns red,” the situation may change drastically, and Japan needs to be ready for that. China’s Foreign Ministry called the comments reckless and irresponsible.

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