Japan’s PM Leaves Door Open for China Talks
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi characterized China as an "important neighbor," stating her "stance of building constructive and stable relations remains unchanged" since assuming power, according to remarks delivered at a press briefing following an emergency legislative session, media reported.
"Japan always keeps the door open for dialogue as the two nations have issues to resolve," she added.
"My remarks regarding the survival-threatening situation do not alter the stance held by the past governments," Takaichi said, adding that Japan will explain its position to China and the international community through diplomatic channels.
Diplomatic friction between Beijing and Tokyo has intensified since November 7, when Takaichi publicly stated that a Chinese military assault on Taiwan could legally qualify as a "survival-threatening situation," potentially authorizing Japan to invoke collective self-defense rights.
China issued harsh rebukes and implemented retaliatory actions, including advisories urging Chinese travelers to bypass Japan and halting seafood purchases.
In a separate development, Japan's defense chief conducted a telephone discussion with UK Defense Secretary John Healey, based on an announcement posted by the Defense Ministry on U.S. social platform X.
Throughout the exchange, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi "explained China's radar illumination to SDF aircraft on Dec 6," and the two sides "shared their resolve to address challenges in Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific and to drive the new golden age of defense cooperation," the statement said.
Tokyo revealed December 7 that Chinese J-15 combat aircraft operating from the carrier Liaoning activated targeting radar against two Japanese F-15 jets above international airspace southeast of Okinawa's primary island.
China, however, said at a news conference that the maneuvers were "professional, secure, restrained and beyond dispute," adding that it is "common practice" for carrier-based aircraft to activate radar during training.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun declared Wednesday that Japan should examine its own conduct instead of rallying international support for its interpretation.
"The Japanese side should do is to listen to these calls and do soul-searching rather than make futile attempts to persuade other countries into believing their groundless explanations," Guo said, responding to a question about Japan's National Security Advisor Ichikawa Keiichi reiterating Japan's stance during talks with officials from the UK, France, Germany and Canada.
"We urge some in Japan to stop spreading false narratives, face up to the history, reflect on and correct the wrongdoings, retract the erroneous remarks, honor the commitments, and act responsibly to offer China and the international community a satisfactory answer," he added.
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