Japan must do much more for Taiwan

A bipartisan delegation of Japanese politicians visited Taiwan last week, marking the latest of several visits by Japanese Diet members over the years. While consistently irking China, these visits are significant only up to a point.

Japanese politicians, including Shigeru Ishiba, a possible future prime minister, visiting Taiwan implicitly demonstrate Tokyo’s concern over China’s threats to Taiwan and indicate a broad degree of support for a free Taiwan. 

This latest visit took place despite the inevitable Chinese criticism that would follow. True to form, the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo promised Japan would “pay a heavy price” if it caused trouble over Taiwan.

There’s always the possibility, if not likelihood, of renewed Chinese government harassment of Japanese companies operating in China, or grabbing additional “hostages” from among the Japanese living and working in the PRC. 

Another ever-present risk is stepped-up China Coast Guard and Maritime Militia encroachments around Japan’s Senkaku Islands or other parts of Japanese maritime territory.

So, going ahead with these visits despite the risks indicates a degree of Japanese commitment to Taiwan—even if sometimes there’s an element of kabuki as some politicians go along (as in the case of this most recent visit) to bolster their thin foreign policy bona fides or counter rumors they are too beholden to China.

However, one must ask what has the Japanese government actually done in concrete terms to provide overt (or even covert) support for Taiwan’s defense. The answer: very little, if anything. 

The Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) has effectively no relationship with Taiwan’s armed forces; Tokyo won’t even send an active-duty officer to serve as defense attaché or liaison. Instead, it relies on a few retired JSDF flag officers whose usefulness is not obvious.

Japan’s Coast Guard recently did a basic exercise with a Taiwan Coast Guard ship but that’s inconsequential in terms of what’s needed and possible.

At best one might suggest that Japan’s notable help to strengthen Philippine defenses by providing patrol boats, aircraft, radar systems and deepening defense exchanges indirectly supports Taiwan’s defense as well, given the Philippines’ strategic location a short distance south of Taiwan.

But in terms of direct Japanese support for Taiwan, there isn’t much to cite beyond these sorts of lawmaker visits and statements supporting the status quo and against the use of violence to solve Taiwan Strait issues.

This is despite frequent acknowledgment of Taiwan’s importance to Japan. For decades, some Japanese officials and many military officers have said that “Taiwan’s defense is Japan’s defense.” 

That’s true. Just look at a map and it’s easy to see Taiwan sits astride sea lanes at the north end of the South China Sea through which a huge percentage of Japan’s trade and energy imports flow. If the PRC controls Taiwan it can choke off this vital lifeline for Japan.

Moreover, if the People’s Liberation Army were one day to operate out of a seized Taiwan, it would put China’s military in a position to isolate or even surround Japan – as well as expand military operations into the Pacific with much more ease than currently.

And Tokyo presumably knows that if Taiwan falls to China it will shake the foundation of the US military presence in the region and broader American influence – on which Japan is utterly dependent.

Japan understands these risks and understands that the Chinese communists aim to strangle Taiwan and dominate the broader Pacific region. And yet Tokyo still won’t do what’s necessary to bolster Taiwan. 

And don’t think the Taiwanese fail to notice. And don’t think Beijing fails to notice.

Maybe Japan will do what’s necessary in the future, but getting there may require waiting for a disaster, and then it will be too late. So while Japanese Diet members visiting Taiwan is useful, it’s not nearly as important as one might think.

What should Japan do? Look at what the Americans are doing for Taiwan and do some of that. Or even just look at what Japan is doing for the Philippines and do some of that for Taiwan. But do something. And soon.

Grant Newsham is a retired US Marine officer and former US diplomat. He was the first Marine liaison officer to the Japan Self Defense Force and is a fellow at the Center for Security Policy and the Yorktown Institute. He is the author of the book “When China Attacks: A Warning To America.”