By John Geddie, Tim Kelly and Mariko Katsumura
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked a diplomatic spat with China over remarks last week that a hypothetical Chinese attack on democratically-ruled Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.
Until now, Japanese leaders have avoided mentioning Taiwan when publicly discussing such scenarios, maintaining a strategic ambiguity also favoured by Tokyo’s main security ally, the United States.
Her remarks triggered a threatening post from a Chinese diplomat in Japan, while Beijing lodged a formal protest against what it said was blatant interference in its internal affairs. Beijing claims Taiwan, and has not ruled out using force to take control of the island.
WHAT DID TAKAICHI SAY?
Takaichi was asked by an opposition lawmaker in parliament on Friday about
Explainer-Why Did Japan PM’s Taiwan Remarks Cause Such a Stir?
