Almost half of Japanese support defending Taiwan – poll

More than 60% of those surveyed have also said that they want Tokyo to boost defense spending

Nearly half of Japan’s population would support their country defending Taiwan in the event of a conflict with China, a Kyodo News poll suggests.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Friday that any attempt by Beijing to use force to reunify with the self-governing island could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” under Tokyo’s security legislation and potentially trigger a military response. Her remarks signaled a shift from previous administrations, which generally avoided making affirmative statements on the issue.

The outlet said in an article on Sunday that, according to its telephone poll, which involved more than 1,000 respondents, a total of 48.8% of the public were in favor of Japan exercising its right to self-defense in an event of fighting in the Taiwan Strait.

Even more of those surveyed (60.4%) urged Tokyo to increase its military spending in order to strengthen its defense capabilities.

According to the poll, since Takashi became Japan’s first female prime minister less than a month ago, her government’s approval ratings rose by 5.5%, reaching 69.9%.

Following Takaichi’s remarks, Beijing summoned Japan’s envoy in China to issue a protest over what it called “extremely malicious” comments about Tokyo’s willingness to defend Taiwan.

On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian described the Japanese prime minister’s statement as “blatantly provocative,” saying that it violates the One-China principle that recognizes Beijing’s sovereignty over Taiwan.

Tokyo should “immediately correct its actions and retract its egregious remarks” or “bear all the consequences,” he warned.

The Chinese authorities chose to resolve the Taiwan issue as an internal matter and any attempts by Japan to intervene would constitute “an act of aggression” and prompt China to “retaliate forcefully,” Lin stressed.

Beijing views Taiwan, which has maintained de facto self-rule since 1949 but never officially declared independence, as an integral part of Chinese territory. It vigorously opposes contact and arms deals between Taipei and Japan’s principal ally, the US.

China has said repeatedly that its goal is “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, but has warned that it will not hesitate to use force should Taipei formally declare independence.