LDP’s Kobayashi Advocates Japan’s Economic Independence from China

Tokyo, Nov. 30 (Jiji Press)–Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said in a television program on Sunday that Japan should work on making its economic structure self-reliant, advocating for breaking away from dependence on China. The remark came during discussions on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s parliamentary remark on a potential Taiwan contingency and subsequent Chinese pressures on Japan, in the program aired by public broadcaster NHK, or Japan Broadcasting Corp. In light of criticism directed at the prime minister over the Taiwan remark, Kobayashi called for a calm response, saying, “We should conduct discussions while keeping in mind who stands to gain from any division in public opinion and among lawmakers.” Satoshi Honjo, policy chief of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said in the same TV program, “While it is important to prepare for Chinese risks, China is Japan’s largest trading partner and we cannot and should not change our economic ties.” At a parliamentary committee meeting on Nov. 7, Takaichi said that a potential Taiwan contingency may fall under a so-called survival-threatening situation for Japan, in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. Honjo criticized this remark, saying: “I don’t think she fully understood. There is no benefit for both Japan and China.” Alex Saito, policy chief of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), which replaced Komeito as the LDP’s coalition partner in October, said, “We hope Japan will continue to respond in a manner that conveys to the international community that it is handling the situation calmly.” Ken Tanaka, acting policy chief of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, said, “The prime minister just mentioned the possibility and there is no need for her to withdraw the remark.” “The government’s diplomatic approach (toward China) is insufficient,” Komeito policy chief Mitsunari Okamoto said, seeking to deepen Japan-China dialogue including through diplomatic activities by lawmakers. Hiroshi Ando, secretary-general of Sanseito, said, “It is necessary to respond to China in a resolute manner.” Taku Yamazoe, policy chief of the Japanese Communist Party, said: “It all started with the prime minister’s wrong remark. The only way to resolve this is for the prime minister to retract her statement.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]