Japan-U.S. alliance would crumble if Tokyo ignored Taiwan crisis, PM Takaichi says

Japan's PM Takaichi warns that ignoring the Taiwan crisis could jeopardize the U.S.-Japan alliance amid rising tensions with China.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan’s strategic alliance with the U.S. would collapse if ​Tokyo were to turn away from a conflict in ‌Taiwan, but distanced herself from previous comments that suggested a possible ​military response in such an event.

Ms. Takaichi expressed her latest views on a nationally broadcast TV programme late on Monday (January 26, 2026), where an opposition party leader criticised her for igniting tensions with China with the earlier remarks.

Ties between Japan and China have sunk to the worst level in years after Ms. Takaichi said in November that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could ​bring about a Japanese military response. Beijing has responded with export ⁠curbs, flight cancellations and vitriolic commentaries, repeatedly demanding a retraction.

China claims sovereignty over the democratically-governed island of Taiwan.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that this is not about Japan going out ​and taking military action if ⁠China and the United States come into conflict (over Taiwan),” Ms. Takaichi said on the live TV show, referring to the comments she made in parliament in November.

“If something serious happens there, we would have to go ‌to rescue the Japanese and American citizens in Taiwan. In that situation, ‌there may be cases where we take joint action.”