Japan policy draft downgrades China status
This year’s Diplomatic Bluebook, to be released by Japan’s Foreign Ministry, will describe China as “an important neighboring country,” instead of “one of the most important bilateral relations,” the phrase used until last year, a draft of the annual report showed on Tuesday.
The wording change appears to reflect the current state of Tokyo-Beijing relations, which have deteriorated since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks last November suggested that an attack on Taiwan could trigger a response from the Self-Defense Forces.
The report will also criticize China for intensifying its unilateral criticism and coercive measures against Japan, according to the draft.
On the Taiwan Strait, where China has been increasing military pressure on Taiwan, the previous report said that peace and stability in the strait are important not only for Japan’s security but also for the stability of the international community. But the phrase “Japan’s security” will be deleted in the upcoming report, due out around April, in a show of consideration for China.
In addition, the report will condemn Iran’s attacks on civilian facilities in neighboring countries and its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that maintaining the international nuclear nonproliferation regime is extremely important for Japan.
As for the Korean Peninsula, the report will talk about positive developments for Japan-South Korea ties while addressing issues involving North Korea.
