Japan officials at Ketagalan Forum stress importance of peace in Taiwan Strait
The annual dialogue on Asia-Pacific security, the Ketagalan Forum kicked off on Tuesday. President Tsai Ing-wen took the opportunity to thank former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his contributions to the region. She also emphasized Taiwan’’s commitment to its defense and self-reliance. The forum was attended by scholars and politicians from several countries who discussed regional security, and Taiwan’’s key role as a regional democratic partner.
Through a prerecorded video, President Tsai Ing-wen spoke at this year’s Ketagalan Forum on the topic of security in the Indo-Pacific. Tsai thanked former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his contributions on the matter.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
The former prime minister laid the foundation for stronger regional partnership. Thanks to him, we are better able to uphold the democratic, rules-based order.
In her address to academics from the U.S., Europe, Japan and Australia, Tsai underscored the indispensible nature of Taiwan as a regional partner on democracy. She said Taiwan would continue to strive toward progress on defense self-reliance, and the strengthening of its national defense.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
We have set up new facilities to advance domestic development of naval vessels. We have also taken steps to bolster our reserve forces, and we have made substantial investments to enhance our asymmetric warfare capabilities. Together, these efforts are accelerating our progress toward self-sufficiency in national defense.
Kono Taro
Former Japanese minister of defense
How the United States, together with like-minded countries can defend Taiwan from Chinese aggression is the question we need to answer now. If China uses forces against Taiwan, whether we choose or not, Japan will be affected.
Unable to travel to Taiwan due to a COVID infection, former Japanese Defense Minister Kono Taro addressed the forum via video conference, saying that Chinese use of force against Taiwan would impact Japan. Meanwhile, Japanese MP Suzuki Keisuke made his ninth trip to Taiwan to attend the forum in person. In a tweet made the day before, Suzuki said he had experienced his first Wanan air defense drill. Unable to be outside for 30 minutes during the drill was a somber reminder of the threat Taiwan faces, he wrote.
Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
Japan’s latest defense white paper contains 10 pages on Taiwan. This is unprecedented in Japanese history. That is, Japan putting this opposition to China’s use of force to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait into its defense policy. It’s a clear signal.
Japan’s participation at the Ketagalan Forum, and its emphasis on Taiwan in its defense policy reflect a clear development in Japanese policy, and reflect the solid state of Taiwan-Japan relations.
2022-07-26