Japan has firmly rejected accusations from China that Tokyo is threatening military intervention over Taiwan. In a letter to the United Nations, Japan’s U.N. ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki described China’s claims as “inconsistent with the facts and unsubstantiated,” stressing that Japan follows a policy of passive defense.
The exchange began after China accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of violating international norms when she stated in parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a response from Japan. Yamazaki countered that Japan would only act under its constitutional right to self-defense and dismissed China’s interpretation as incorrect.
The dispute marks one of the sharpest diplomatic clashes between the two countries in years. China has criticized Takaichi’s remarks as damaging to bilateral relations, while cultural exchanges, including concerts by Japanese artists in China, have been abruptly halted.
Amid the tensions, Takaichi spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump, who assured her of open communication as she navigates the evolving situation. The U.S. has not publicly commented on the dispute, even as concerns grow over China’s increasing pressure on Taiwan, which lies just over 100 km from Japanese territory. Taiwan maintains that its future must be determined solely by its people.