Tokyo spells out position on Taiwan, in part, in bid to ease tension with Beijing
‘Regarding Taiwan, Japan’s fundamental policy is … in line with the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique’: Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi
The Japanese government has spelled out its position on Taiwan – although only in part – based on the 1972 document that normalised diplomatic ties to ease tensions, while insisting that the Taiwan issue should be resolved “peacefully through dialogue”.
However, he did not read out a portion of the relevant clause reflecting China’s position, even though Beijing has repeatedly urged Tokyo in recent weeks to restate the wording in full.
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“Regarding Taiwan, Japan’s fundamental policy is, as the prime minister has clearly stated, in line with the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique,” Motegi said.
“The document states that the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration.”
He did not read out the first half of the cited clause, which states “the Government of the People’s Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China”.
But after further grilling by Yamazoe, Motegi went on to outline the substance of Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration signed in 1945 – a step Beijing has also repeatedly urged Tokyo to take during the latest diplomatic row – although he again omitted some of the details.