Japan, US ready to cooperate in event of conflict around Taiwan

Japan and the United States have agreed to cooperate in the event of an armed conflict between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan), Report informs referring to Kyodo News.

According to the agency’s sources, the issue was raised during a meeting held this week in Tokyo between the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. However, there was no detailed discussion of how exactly the parties should react to such a conflict situation. At the same meeting, the Japanese minister pointed out the increased activity of Chinese aircraft in the Taiwan Strait.

Tokyo, as Kyodo noted, for its part, is considering the option of sending the Self-Defense Forces to protect US ships and aircraft in the event of a direct conflict around Taiwan. Japan proceeds from the fact that this region is close to its borders and thus, such conflict may directly affect its security.

In a joint statement following the meeting of the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the US in Tokyo on March 16, the sides called for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

In an interview with Japan's Nippon TV, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also expressed concern about China's actions against Taiwan.