A Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be an “existential threat” to Japan that would lead to a collective defense of the democratic island with the United States, Japan’s deputy prime minister said. Taro Aso, who also serves as finance minister, made the remarks at a fundraising event in Tokyo on Monday, according to a report by Japan’s Jiji Press. “If a major incident occurs in Taiwan, it’s not at all unusual to consider it an existential threat [to Japan],” the senior official was quoted as saying. “In such a case, Japan and the United States will have to work together to defend Taiwan.” Observers have noted the finesse with which Japanese officials conduct diplomacy, including their careful use of words. The deputy PM’s description of an “existential threat” is a choice phrase required to trigger the relevant self-defense clauses in Japan’s otherwise pacifist constitution. Aso, who is on Japan’s presidential-style National Security Council, explained his thinking by warning “Okinawa could be next” after an invasion of Taiwan by China. Japan “could exercise its right to collective self-defense in a limited way,” he said at the event. Asked about his remarks on Tuesday, Aso reportedly responded: “We are closely monitoring the… Read full this story
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