TOKYO, Dec 7: Japan is asking US leadership for public support amid the country’s rift with China over Taiwan, the Financial Times reported.
According to the publication, Tokyo is disappointed with the current level of support from the US leadership.
Japanese Ambassador to Washington Shigeo Yamada asked the Trump administration to increase public support for Tokyo, the newspaper claims.
Tensions between Japan and China soared after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would create a “survival-threatening situation,” forcing Japan to respond.
Her remarks prompted a rebuke from China, but also from opposition parties in Japan. In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned Japanese Ambassador Kenji Kanasugi.
Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan, a territory with its own elected government, maintains that it is an autonomous country, although it has stopped short of declaring independence.
Beijing opposes any official contacts by foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.
(UNI(
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