Japan steps up to support Taiwan

Japan’s pledge to effectively abandon its pacifism and join the US in defending Taiwan against any Chinese invasion shows the determination that exists to defend the democratic island nation’s sovereignty. Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso’s warning that an “existential threat” to Taiwan would inevitably lead to an attack on Japanese territory and justify Tokyo’s deployment of its Self-Defence Forces to help defend Taipei has far-reaching strategic consequences.

Japan’s pacifist post-war constitution restricts use of the SDF. Major security law changes in 2015, however, allow its deployment outside Japan to aid allies and friendly nations facing attacks that threaten Tokyo’s own security. The timing of Japan signalling its deep concern about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s repeated threats to Taiwan, and its dramatic change in strategic policy, is highly significant. Taiwan’s security could become one of the most testing strategic challenges of our times.

The predictable fury expressed by Chinese officials in response to Mr Aso’s warning is unsurprising. But for all its post-war pacifism, Japan’s SDF – on its own or in alliance with the US and allies such as Australia – is a powerful, well-equipped and disciplined fighting force that would boost the strength of any army drawn together to defend Taiwan against Chinese aggression. Mr Aso’s statement follows recent reports in London’s Financial Times that Japan and the US have discreetly been conducting war games and military exercises focused on a potential conflict with China over Taiwan. Planning started under Donald Trump and has continued under Joe Biden.

Mr Xi was resolute on the 100th birthday of the Chinese Communist Party last week in declaring an “unshakeable commitment” to taking Taiwan. White House Indo-Pacific adviser Kurt Campbell’s assessment – that Beijing’s “harshness” towards Australia “appears to be unyielding”over Scott Morrison’s sensible call for a Covid inquiry – pointed to a similar stubbornness. But the historic move by Japan, a nation of immense consequence in our region, shows China can expect strong pushback from the US and its allies against its mounting aggression, especially towards Taiwan.