Japan’s Cabinet Reshuffle Not Expected to Impact Taiwan Relations, Amid Beijing’s Political Maneuvers
In a recent shift of political tides, Japan’s Cabinet experienced a reshuffle following the resignation of four ministers embroiled in a political kickback scandal. However, this alteration, which involved the substitution of several pro-Taiwan ministers, is not anticipated to significantly impact Japan’s friendly policy towards Taiwan, according to the foreign affairs official in Taipei, Fan Chen-kuo.
Scandal’s Impact on Japan-Taiwan Relations
During a press briefing, Fan Chen-kuo, the Secretary-General of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, iterated that Taiwan has maintained friendly ties with all Japanese political factions for many years. He stressed that the scandal, which centered on allegations of kickbacks received by members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for surpassing ticket sales quotas for party fundraising events, will not deter these relations. The late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, an ardent supporter of Taiwan, was a prominent figure in the faction under scrutiny.
Japan’s Diplomatic Balance
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, expressed his intent to ameliorate Japan-China relations through dialogue, aligning with Japan’s policy of maintaining open channels of communication with Beijing. Fan assured that this approach does not undermine Japan’s friendship with Taiwan.
Beijing’s Political Manoeuvres
Simultaneously, Beijing’s suspension of tariff concessions on selected Taiwanese goods is viewed as a political tactic to influence voters ahead of the January elections. The ‘1992 consensus’ remains a contentious point, with Beijing considering it crucial for cross-strait dialogue. This move by China is seen as an attempt to leverage cross-strait economic and trade ties to suppress ‘Taiwan’s separation.’
International Reactions
On the other hand, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced concerns over China’s aggression in the Taiwan Strait and underscored the importance of deepened cooperation with allies to confront challenges presented by Beijing. Furthermore, US Senator Lindsey Graham pledged support for drafting sanctions against China if it attempted to invade Taiwan.
