Security of Taiwan is directly connected to Japan: Nobuo Kishi

Tokyo – Merging with China is the only option left for Taiwan; Taiwan’s independence is an invitation for war, China had threatened. Japan has befittingly responded to this Chinese threat. ‘Taiwan’s peace and stability is directly connected to Japan’s security. Japan is closely monitoring China-Taiwan relations and Chinese military movements,’ Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi warned. Moreover, Japan and the United States are conducting the largest annual war exercise. Against that background, this warning by the Japanese Defence Minister draws attention.

In an interview with a US news channel, Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi emphasised that Taiwan’s security is connected to Japan. ‘China wants to conquer Taiwan using its military strength’, the Defence Minister expressed his concern. Last week, China had intruded into Japanese airspace with 28 jet planes. While speaking to the US news channel, the Japanese minister targeted this Chinese intrusion. Taiwan is vital for Japan. Minister Kishi drew attention to the fact that the Japanese economy is dependent on the crude oil ships that sail through Taiwan’s maritime region. A few days ago, Japan had appealed to the European Union to contribute to the security of this region.

The younger brother of Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Nobuo Kishi, is known for his anti-China and pro-Taiwan stance. In April, Defence Minister Kishi had visited the Yonaguni Island in Taiwan. After this visit, he severely slammed Chinese military movements while speaking to the Japanese media. If China captures Taiwan, the situation in this region will change drastically and threaten Japanese security. Therefore, the Japanese Defence Forces should be prepared for this situation; Defence Minister Kishi commanded his army. Following that, the furious Chinese foreign ministry criticised Kishi.

Last year, after President Tsai Ing-wen won the Taiwan elections, Minister Kishi had visited Taiwan to congratulate her. Besides, last year, after the death of the first democratically elected President of Taiwan, Lee Teng-hui, Minister Kishi visited Taiwan. Moreover, Minister Kishi has given special importance to relations with Taiwan, just as his elder brother Abe. Minister Kishi had presented this point of security even in the Two Plus Two meeting held with the United States. Hence, China can get agitated due to the remarks about Taiwan by the Japanese Defence Minister during an interview with the US media.

Defence Minister Kishi criticised the rising defence expenditure of China and mentioned the issue of non-transparency. At the same time, Minister Kishi informed that Japan would deploy two warships by the Aegis Air Defence System to protect its interests in the maritime region. Moreover, Kishi said that the QUAD group of the four democracies, Japan, India, United States and Australia, is not against any other country. However, Minister Kishi clarified that this QUAD group had been formed to protect the free maritime region in the Indo-Pacific. In the interview, Minister Kishi said that the defence cooperation provided by Japan would further strengthen peace, international cooperation and security.

Meanwhile, China has been openly threatening to conquer Taiwan. Over the last few days, China has increased its military deployment near Taiwan. Moreover, it has deployed its warships, fighter and missile carrier jets to challenge the United States and European nations alongside Taiwan. The rising Chinese aggression about Taiwan has forced a severe reaction against it from the United States, European Union and NATO. Thus, disrupted China had threatened the United States. The United States cannot interfere in any decision regarding Taiwan, the Chinese military threatened. In such a situation, the Japanese Defence Minister has linked the matter of Taiwan’s security to Japan and warned that China’s persecution would not be tolerated.