Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Friday the country had been “consistent” over Taiwan but insisted she wanted better relations with Beijing.
But when asked if she would do so, she did not answer directly but said Tokyo would “make a comprehensive judgment based on all available information regarding a situation threatening Japan’s existence”.
Speaking to reporters before she left for the Group of 20 summit in South Africa, she added: “I myself have repeatedly stated this position in my responses. The government’s stance remains consistent.”
Takaichi added that she still hoped for better relations with China. She said that when she met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, they had “confirmed the broad direction of comprehensively advancing our strategic and mutually beneficial relationship and building a constructive and stable relationship”.
She added: “There has been no change whatsoever in this stance.”
