Japan urges China to act responsibly on Taiwan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said his country will continue to urge China to act responsibly on the world stage.

This was interpreted as a sign of Tokyo's deepening concern about stability in the Taiwan Strait following Beijing's recent military exercises.

Kishida's comments, which came after China conducted exercises in waters off Taiwan earlier this month, highlight Tokyo's growing concern about the possibility of an attack on nearby Taiwan.

CALL FOR 'PEACE AND STABILITY' FROM JAPAN

Seeing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as important not only for Japan, but also for the international community and the wider world, Personda said, "We have been consistent with our stance on Taiwan that any problem should be resolved peacefully through dialogue. In any case, the relevant defense laws. We will abide by our constitution, international law, and domestic laws," he said.

The Japanese leader, which is in a complex position as both Washington's closest ally in Asia and an important Chinese trade partner, also stressed the importance of stability between China and the United States.

WILL CHINA-TAIWAN TENSION TURN INTO HOT CONFLICT?

Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries met in Japan this week and urged Beijing to "refrain from threats, repression, intimidation and the use of force".

Beijing, which sees Taiwan as Chinese territory and has not stopped using force to take the democratically administered island, dismissed the G7 comments as "heavy interference in its internal affairs".

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said that only the people living on the island can decide their future.