Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan’s strategic alliance with the U.S. would collapse if ​Tokyo were to turn away from a conflict in ‌Taiwan, but distanced herself from previous comments that suggested a possible ​military response in such an event. Ms. Takaichi expressed her latest views on a nationally broadcast TV programme late on Monday (January 26, 2026), where an opposition party leader criticised her for igniting tensions with China with the earlier remarks. Ties between Japan and China have sunk to the worst level in years after Ms. Takaichi said in November that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could ​bring about a Japanese military response. “If something serious happens there, we would have to go ‌to rescue the Japanese and American citizens in Taiwan. Japan’s constitution prohibits direst military actionWith an eye on the electorate, Ms. Takaichi has stopped short of retracting the remarks from November, saying her stance was consistent with Japan’s long-standing policy.

Source: The Hindu January 27, 2026 19:51 UTC