Reporter's Notebook: Japan’s defense white paper displays nation’s growing affinity for TaiwanBy Lin Tsuei-yi and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporter in TOKYO,with staff writerSignificant changes in Japan’s annual defense white paper, including for the first time a declaration of support for stability in the Taiwan Strait and separate treatment of Taiwan, show Tokyo’s growing affinity and respect for the nation. The cover of this year’s “Defense of Japan” annual white paper featuring a warrior riding a horse, left, is pictured yesterday next to the cover of last year’s white paper featuring cherry blossoms and outline of Mount Fuji. Photo: Lin Tsui-yi, Taipei Times“Stabilizing the situation surrounding Taiwan is important for Japan’s security and the stability of the international community,” the paper says. While the Japanese Ministry of Defense has emphasized that the nation’s basic stance toward Taiwan has not changed, its treatment of the issue in the latest white paper says otherwise. The report also corrects a map of Chinese military capabilities repeated in previous versions that expat groups have long protested should not include Taiwan.

Source: Taipei Times July 13, 2021 15:56 UTC