Japanese Public Oppose Its Military To Defend Taiwan Should China Invade

DW: Japan: Public reluctant to defend Taiwan should China invade 

A new opinion poll has found that over half of the Japanese population is of the opinion that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) should not become involved in fighting if China invades Taiwan. 

A full 80% of the 3,000 adults interviewed by the Asahi Shimbun daily newspaper recently expressed concern that Japan would become caught up in the conflict if Beijing were to attack Taiwan in an effort to unify it with the Chinese mainland. 

Political analysts and members of the public from across Japan's political spectrum said they were "not at all surprised" at the outcome of the poll.  

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WNU Editor: The debate on what Japan should do if China invades Taiwan is intensifying .... Should Japan Defend Taiwan? (Responsible Statecraft). 

I personally believe Japan will be drawn into such a conflict if the US becomes directly involved .... Senior lawmaker predicts Japan would be drawn into Taiwan conflict (NHK).

Former Japanese Admiral Says Japan Unprepared For A Chinese Invasion Of Taiwan

Japanese Special Defense Forces file photo. Photo: AFP  

Defense Post: Japan Unprepared for China ‘Military Unification’: Ex-Navy Chief 

Japan may be caught unprepared if it gets involved in a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, a former navy chief said. 

In a Sankei newspaper opinion column via Japan Forward, Yoji Koda, a retired commander of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Forces (MSDF), warned of “devastating consequences” if the country did not prepare itself for a potential conflict involving Taiwan and China. 

China has been more aggressive in its claim over Taiwan in recent years, to the point of condemning countries that show support for the island nation.  

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WNU Editor: Truth be told. No one is ready for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Yoji Koda's commentary is here .... Japan can Only Succeed in Self-Defense if it’s Prepared to Help Defend Taiwan (Japan Forward).

Japan Vows To Defend Taiwan Alongside The U.S. If China Invades The Island

 

Daily Mail: Japan vows to defend Taiwan alongside the US if China invades the island because 'Okinawa could be next' 

* Deputy prime minister Taro Aso reportedly said a 'major problem' in Taiwan could also pose a threat to the Japanese city of Okinawa 

* He made the comment on Monday at a fundraiser, Kyodo news agency reported 

* His remarks angered Beijing which considers Taiwan as its own territory 

* China said Aso's comments were 'harmful' to Sino-Japanese relations 

* On Tuesday, Aso said any issue over Taiwan should be resolved through dialogue 

Japan has vowed to join the U.S. in defending Taiwan if it is invaded by China because - it said - Japan could be next. 

Deputy prime minister Taro Aso said on Monday that such an event in Taiwan could pose a threat to the Japanese city of Okinawa, Kyodo news agency reported. 

'If a major problem took place in Taiwan, it would not be too much to say that it could relate to a survival-threatening situation [for Japan],' Aso said at a fundraising party by a fellow Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker.  

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WNU Editor: Beijing has responded .... Japanese politicians slammed over ‘wrong and dangerous’ remarks on Taiwan, urged to learn lesson from history (Global Times). More here .... Beijing issues protest after Japan signals that it would join US to defend Taiwan in case of Chinese attack (RT). 

More News On Japan Vowing To Defend Taiwan Alongside The U.S. If China Invades The Island  

Deputy PM says Japan must defend Taiwan with U.S. -- Japan Times 

Deputy PM Aso says Japan would defend Taiwan with U.S., irking China -- Kyodo News 

Japan deputy PM comment on defending Taiwan if invaded angers China -- Reuters  

Japan, U.S. Must Defend Taiwan Together, Deputy Premier Aso Says -- Bloomberg