Takaichi claims Japan's position on Taiwan unchanged

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said at a plenary session of the House of Councillors on Wednesday that Japan's position on Taiwan has not changed.

When being asked to clarify whether it is correct to understand that the government's position on Taiwan remains unchanged as stipulated in the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement, Takaichi said Japan's fundamental position on Taiwan is as stated in the Statement and this position has not changed.

The Statement defined Taiwan's status as "an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China and Japan fully understands and respects the position of the Government of the People's Republic of China."

Noting that a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan last month, which has led Beijing and Tokyo to be locked in an escalating dispute, Takaichi has not retracted her words.