Japanese MP: Close Defense Ties Between US, Japan, and Taiwan Will Prevent China from 'Drawing Its Sword'

The 14th Overseas and Domestic Taiwan National Affairs Conference was held in Taipei today with the theme 'Normalization of National Status: New Prospects for Taiwan-Japan-US Relations.' Japanese MP Yasuhide Nakayama attended and delivered a speech, stating that as long as Japan, the US, and Taiwan stand firmly together and strengthen their defense capabilities, the goal is not war, but to ensure China 'cannot draw its sword.' President Lai Ching-te sent a congratulatory message, hoping the event would consolidate national identity and safeguard democratic values. Nakayama, a former State Minister for Defense, described the current situation as a struggle between 'democracy' and 'hegemony.' He noted that Japan has been a 'protected nation' for 80 years but is now seeking change. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and others have proposed three major pillars: defense reform to allow the export of Japanese-made weapons; re-examining defense policies; and amending the constitution to match international realities. Nakayama said Japan is transforming into a nation that can 'share responsibilities and protect allies.' He warned of China's ICBMs capable of hitting the White House from the South China Sea and the mass production of robotic soldiers, alongside new warfare domains like AI, space, and electromagnetic waves. Former AIT Director William Stanton mentioned that while the US and Taiwan share values like liberty and human rights, common interests are also vital. He cautioned that Donald Trump has brought greater uncertainty, with his 'America First' policy making many perceive the US as an unreliable ally, potentially worsening skepticism towards the US in Taiwan. Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Chih-chung added that there is no issue of 'unification' or 're-unification' for Taiwan, as framing it that way makes it an internal Chinese affair, which the international community would find hard to intervene in.