Japan’s PM Highlights Strengthened Ties with Trump After China Dispute

“Call me anytime” was the message conveyed by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after her phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. This contact marked their first conversation since Takaichi’s comments that ignited tensions with China regarding Taiwan. Earlier this month, Takaichi suggested that a hypothetical Chinese assault on Taiwan could prompt a military response from Japan, inciting Beijing’s ire and leading to travel boycotts against Japan.

China views Taiwan, located just over 100 km (60 miles) from Japanese territory, as part of its territory and has not ruled out the possibility of using force to assert control over it. The government of Taiwan refutes this claim, maintaining that its future is a matter to be decided solely by its own people.

Trump has not publicly addressed the rising tensions between Japan and China, a silence that has raised concerns among Japanese officials.

Following her call with Trump, Takaichi reassured the media about U.S. support. “President Trump stated that we have a very good friendship, and that I can reach out to him anytime,” she remarked to reporters.

Trump briefed Takaichi about the state of U.S.-China relations, including his recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi shared that Taiwan’s “return to China” is a fundamental aspect of Beijing’s vision for global order, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency. While Trump mentioned progress in trade discussions and characterized U.S.-China relations as “extremely strong” on Truth Social, he did not address Taiwan in that context. The White House has yet to comment regarding Trump’s conversation with Takaichi.

‘RETURN’ NOT AN OPTION Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai expressed on Tuesday that a “return” to China is not a viable option for Taiwan’s 23 million inhabitants.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara highlighted the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for the international community, including Japan, during a press briefing. He refrained from commenting on Xi’s reported statements to Trump regarding Taiwan, a critical region for Japan’s trade and energy route.

Recently, Japan has engaged in a significant military buildup to counteract China’s increasing influence and assertiveness within the region, encouraged by U.S. support.

Earlier, Beijing criticized Japan’s decision to station a medium-range surface-to-air missile unit on Yonaguni, its island closest to Taiwan, claiming it seeks to “create regional tension and provoke military confrontation.”

Following the detection of a Chinese drone near Yonaguni, Japan scrambled a fighter jet on Monday. While Takaichi has thus far resisted Beijing’s demands to retract her comments on Taiwan, Japan has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with China at various levels to mitigate tensions.

Reports indicate that Japan’s vice foreign minister met with the Chinese ambassador in Tokyo on Tuesday to deliberate on ongoing issues and future responses. However, Beijing has dismissed the prospect of a potential meeting between Takaichi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the recent G20 meeting held in South Africa. Analysts interpret this as a sign that Japan-China relations may face prolonged difficulties under Takaichi, known for her hardline nationalist stance and high public approval ratings since assuming office last month.

WORRIES OVER TRUMP’S TAIWAN STANCE

Although Trump has refrained from directly addressing the Japan-China dispute over Taiwan, his ambassador to Japan, George Glass, stated that the U.S. stands with Tokyo amid China’s “coercion.” Some Japanese officials have voiced concern that Trump may compromise support for Taiwan to secure a trade agreement with China, a move that could empower Beijing and potentially escalate conflicts in East Asia.

The potential for the Trump administration to prioritize trade deals over the Taiwan matter cannot be overlooked, asserted Seiko Mimaki, a professor of U.S. politics and diplomacy at Japan’s Doshisha University, in an editorial. She emphasized the necessity of considering these risks when shaping policies toward China.