Tokyo [Japan], September 11 (ANI): Japan and Taiwan face a rising army menace from China and may proceed strengthening their defensive capabilities to guard their democratic techniques, China-born Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki mentioned, in keeping with a Central News Agency (CNA) report.
Speaking at a seminar in Taipei on Japan-Taiwan safety cooperation, Seki cited an outdated Chinese saying to explain the shut relationship between Japan and Taiwan amid China’s expansionism.
“If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold,” Seki mentioned, emphasising that Japan and Taiwan are carefully linked and that an assault by Beijing on one would pose a right away hazard to the opposite, the CNA report mentioned.
“As long as the Chinese Communist Party regime exists, it will never give up on invading Taiwan and Japan,” Seki mentioned.
Seki argued that each Japan and Taiwan have pledged to considerably enhance their defence spending as a result of peace can solely be achieved by energy. He additionally known as for Japan, Taiwan and the United States to additional strengthen their safety alliance as a method of deterring Chinese aggression, in keeping with the CNA report.
Seki, a member of the Japan Innovation Party within the House of Councillors, Japan’s higher home of parliament, was born in China. He graduated from Peking University earlier than shifting to Japan to review in 1988, a yr earlier than the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.
He turned a naturalized Japanese citizen in 2007 and later labored as a college lecturer and political commentator earlier than coming into politics.
In September 2025, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced sanctions in opposition to Seki over his China-critical stance, his help for Taiwan and his visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan’s battle useless, together with convicted World War II battle criminals.
The sanctions included a ban on coming into China, together with Hong Kong and Macau, the CNA report mentioned.
At the identical seminar, one other member of Japan’s House of Councillors, Haruo Kitamura of the Conservative Party of Japan, additionally known as for a stronger safety alliance between Japan, Taiwan and the United States.
Kitamura mentioned the three-way cooperation was obligatory to realize a super promoted by late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
According to the CNA report, Kitamura mentioned Abe was the primary to suggest the idea of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific area that’s “free, open, and inclusive.” However, Kitamura argued that the imaginative and prescient can’t be achieved if peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait are threatened.
Kitamura described Taiwan as an in depth pal of Japan “like family,” whereas calling the United States an vital ally.
“Should the three countries form a steadfast and strong alliance, together we can face any form of challenge,” he mentioned.
The remarks have been made throughout a half-day seminar on Japan-Taiwan safety cooperation organised by the Taipei-based Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank, the CNA report mentioned.
Speaking on the opening of the seminar, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung mentioned Taiwan, Japan and different nations alongside the First Island Chain ought to not be considered as remoted factors of defence amid escalating army coercion by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Instead, Lin mentioned, the nations must be considered a part of a “single theater” wherein regional companions collectively keep resilience.
Lin additionally highlighted the rising significance of unmanned techniques on this regional safety framework. He mentioned Taiwan and Japan are at present working collectively to enrich one another’s strengths in growing unmanned techniques.
According to the CNA report, Lin mentioned the target was to ascertain a “non-red supply chain” whereas offering capabilities for joint catastrophe response and defensive deterrence.
The feedback from the Japanese lawmakers and Taiwan’s overseas minister underscored requires nearer safety cooperation between Japan, Taiwan and the United States amid considerations over China’s army actions and regional safety. (ANI)