Strengthening deterrence and deepening relations between Taiwan and Japan are essential to maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait, former Japanese national security adviser Shigeru Kitamura said on Thursday, as he highlighted the need for greater coordination between the two sides in addressing regional security challenges.
Kitamura made the remarks during a discussion on Japan’s role in the Indo-Pacific hosted by the Washington-based Hudson Institute. The event also featured former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator and Hudson Institute senior fellow Jason Hsu.
During the discussion, Kitamura said China was nearing completion of its long-range ballistic missile technology, particularly systems capable of targeting the mainland United States. He said the development carried significant political implications and noted that Japan has long faced ballistic missile threats from China.
“We have been continuously considering these escalatory actions and threats from the People’s Republic of China,” Kitamura said.
Kitamura also pointed to what he described as “gray zone” threats facing both Taiwan and Japan. He said joint drills between the two nations’ coast guards could be an effective measure in responding to these challenges.
His comments came as China Coast Guard vessels have increased activities in waters surrounding Taiwan and Japan. These activities include asserting jurisdictional claims in waters east of Taiwan, parts of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, and areas surrounding the disputed Diaoyutai Islands.
Kitamura called for Japan to strengthen its coast guard capabilities in response to what he described as China’s escalating activities and attempts to change the “status quo.”
Addressing the possibility of a Taiwan contingency, Kitamura said Japan has been preparing for emergency situations and that the Japan Self-Defense Forces would need to respond if such a situation occurred.
“It is crucial for Japan to bolster its deterrence in collaboration with the US,” Kitamura said, adding that any contingency involving Taiwan would inevitably affect Japan because of its geographic proximity. He also said that enhancing Japan’s relationship with Taiwan was crucial.
Kitamura said economic and cultural ties between Taiwan and Japan have strengthened since Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co established a plant in Japan. He added that these connections contribute to efforts to bolster deterrence.
The former national security adviser’s remarks focused on the relationship between security cooperation, regional preparedness and the expanding interactions between Taiwan and Japan as both sides address security developments in the surrounding region.
