As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference approaches in Shenzhen, China, this month, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces mounting pressure to choose between diplomatic optics and strategic principle. A high-profile encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Nov. 18-19 gathering may offer the appearance of improved relations, but it should not come at the expense of Japan’s right to speak candidly about Taiwan and cross-strait peace. When Xi froze high-level communication with Takaichi following remarks last November, Beijing followed a familiar authoritarian playbook.
Addressing the strategic realities facing Tokyo, Takaichi stated that a Chinese military assault on Taiwan would directly threaten Japan’s security, potentially creating an “existential” crisis that could require deploying Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to defend the country and protect its citizens.
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