Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Reiterates One China Policy and Taiwan Security Stance

On June 6 of this year, the Japanese Diet in Tokyo refocused on a historic exchange that took place exactly one year ago. In December of last year, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae responded to parliamentary inquiries regarding the statement that "an incident in Taiwan is an incident for Japan," remarks that triggered significant ripples in Japan-China relations. Today, marking the one-year anniversary of that exchange, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinji Nishimura reiterated in an official setting that Japan’s stance on Taiwan remains unchanged. Japan continues to base its position on the 1972 "Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China," adhering to the "One China" policy and the principles of peaceful development. These statements have once again placed Japan-Taiwan relations under the international spotlight.

The "Joint Communique" is a key document signed in 1972 between Japan and the People's Republic of China, establishing Japan’s recognition of the "One China" position while maintaining a high degree of concern for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region. In his remarks today, Nishimura pointed out that while Japan diplomatically adheres to the "One China" policy, it has not abandoned its focus on Taiwan’s security and economic interests. This dual stance represents both political respect for the People's Republic of China and a practical consideration of Taiwan’s indispensable role in the regional security architecture. Since Prime Minister Takaichi proposed the view that "an incident in Taiwan is an incident for Japan," both Japan and China have been seeking balance on multiple levels: on one hand, maintaining economic cooperation with Beijing, and on the other, avoiding the perception that security commitments to Taiwan are provocative.

Taiwan’s security issues are not merely a geopolitical consideration for Japan; they also directly involve its national security and economic interests. Taiwan plays a critical global role in high-tech industries, including semiconductors and electronic components, and Japanese companies are deeply reliant on Taiwan’s supply chains. An escalation in the situation across the Taiwan Strait could bring direct shocks to Japan’s economic and energy security. Furthermore, Japan’s security alliance with the United States necessitates that Japan consider U.S. strategic deployments in the Taiwan Strait issue. Under the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States provides military support to Taiwan and encourages informal exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. In this international environment, Japan must find a balance between the "One China" policy and its practical concern for Taiwan.

Mainland China has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Takaichi’s remarks and has repeatedly lodged protests with the Japanese government through diplomatic channels. China views Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory, and any foreign official’s assertion that "an incident in Taiwan is an incident for Japan" is perceived as a challenge to its sovereignty. This has not only intensified diplomatic friction between Japan and China but also made dialogues on other sensitive issues, such as the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula, more tense. On the other hand, Taiwan views Japan’s stance as a positive signal, given Japan’s significant influence in regional security and economic cooperation. Taiwan’s diplomatic teams are also strengthening exchanges with various sectors in Japan, hoping to expand bilateral cooperation without violating the "One China" policy.

Looking ahead, the Japanese government is likely to continue using the "One China" policy as the main axis of its diplomacy, while deepening unofficial cooperation with Taiwan through economic, technological, and cultural channels. Japan’s role in regional security will also become increasingly important, particularly within the U.S.-Japan alliance framework, as its awareness of security guarantees for Taiwan grows. If Japan-China relations remain relatively stable, cooperation between Taiwan and Japan will provide a more diverse diplomatic option for cross-strait relations and may help alleviate tensions in the Taiwan Strait to some extent. However, any further cooperation must be conducted without crossing the bottom line of the "One China" policy, to avoid triggering larger-scale diplomatic turmoil.

(Source of facts