EX-PM Urges Japan, U.S. To Fight For Taiwan

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso has called for a posture of strong deterrence to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, saying that Japan, the US, and Taiwan need to "resolve to fight" to deter possible attacks amid China's increasing military pressure on the island, Mainichi Japan reported.

Photo Insert: At a regional security conference in Taipei, Aso asserted that maintaining peace and stability in the strait is crucial for Japan and the international community.

At a regional security conference in Taipei, Aso asserted that maintaining peace and stability in the strait is crucial for Japan and the international community. He emphasized, "The foremost priority is to prevent war in this region, including the Taiwan Strait."

To achieve this, Aso stated that Taiwan, Japan, and their allies need a deterrent, which he defined as defense capabilities, the will to utilize them if required, and public consensus supporting their use.

He added that it's crucial to communicate these defense capabilities and intentions to potential adversaries.

"There has never been a time like now when Japan, Taiwan, the United States and like-minded countries need to resolve to put into action a strong deterrence. This is a resolve to fight," Aso, who currently serves as vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said at the forum.

He explained Taiwan's situation has reached a more critical level since China carried out large-scale military drills around the self-ruled democratic island in response to a visit by then-US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August last year.

The military exercises included the firing of ballistic missiles that fell into Taiwan's surrounding waters, including Japan's exclusive economic zone, he said.

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