Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on November 6 that she will pursue dialogue with China to protect Japan's national interests, without withdrawing her remark that a Taiwan contingency could constitute a survival-threatening situation for Japan.
Speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office, Takaichi said she would "promote dialogue to protect national interests by communicating on common issues, and build a constructive and stable relationship." She made the remark in connection with the chilled state of Japan-China relations since her parliamentary answer of November 7 last year.
She also called China an important neighbor. "Even with issues between us, there are years of accumulated ties," she said. "Building on this, we will comprehensively advance a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship with China."
Her answer last year, that a Taiwan contingency "could become a survival-threatening situation" — a legal category that can justify the use of force under Japan's security legislation — drew a sharp response from Beijing and set back bilateral ties.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, asked about a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and former Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, said layered communication is important.
In a separate development, a younger group of lawmakers from the Japan-China Parliamentary Friendship League visited Beijing, the first such trip since Takaichi's remark on Taiwan. The group was arranging a meeting with an executive of the China-Japan Friendship Association.