Is the arrow on the string? The Japanese government began discussing the use of laws related to the Self-Defense Forces in the event of an emergency in Taiwan

From Tokyo, Kyodo News reported on April 25, citing a number of Japanese government sources, that the authorities have begun formal discussions on the application of laws related to the activities of the Self-Defense Forces in the event of an emergency in the Taiwan Strait.

The report said that the situation in Taiwan was the main topic at the summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on April 15. The Japanese government will discuss various situations that are equivalent to “significant impact situations,” “existential crisis situations,” and “forceful attack situations” where Japan is directly attacked based on security-related laws. The Japanese government will review the role of the Self-Defense Forces and seek to strengthen the necessary defense capabilities. The actual application is planned to take into account the Chinese Communist Party and judged carefully.

According to sources, the joint statement of the U.S.-Japan summit, which mentioned “Taiwan” again after nearly half a century, included additional language urging a peaceful solution, as advocated by Kan. During the talks, the Japanese side also expressed the view that unexpected developments in Taiwan could amount to important developments or developments of existential crisis.

It is worth mentioning that Kan reported on his visit to the United States at the Diet on Tuesday. A member of the opposition party asked whether Japan would become militarily involved in Taiwan Strait-related issues in line with the U.S. military strategy to confront mainland China. Suga responded that the U.S.-Japan statement mentioning Taiwan “is not premised on military involvement. According to the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK), another opposition lawmaker said the joint statement’s call for a “peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues” could change the situation. Suga said Japan hopes that the Taiwan issue can be resolved through direct dialogue between the parties concerned.

When asked about the hypothetical conflict in the Taiwan Strait, Kan was asked if the “state of affairs” in the statement “Japan can provide rear support for U.S. forces regardless of the state of affairs” referred to a state of affairs with significant implications. “Kan did not give a direct answer, saying that it was “difficult to generalize.