Japan’s China Policy Lacking Strategy: Univ. of Tokyo Professor

Tokyo, Dec. 11 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s policy toward China lacks strategy, University of Tokyo professor Tomoko Ako said Thursday, at a time when tensions between the two countries are rising due in part to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark over a possible Taiwan contingency. “Japan does not have a strategic policy toward China,” Ako said in an online press conference. “Japan cannot confront China merely by saying what it believes is right,” she said, criticizing the Takaichi government’s way of dealing with China and calling on Japan to strengthen the dissemination of information to the international community. “Japan must analyze narratives that China spreads, and make its own claims,” Ako said. Over a recent radar incident, the professor said, “Japan’s explanations are difficult to understand compared with those from China.” “China has become good at conducting propaganda (to the world) while tightening its control on public opinion at home,” she said. “Even the United States does not seem to support Japan’s position,” Ako added. Takaichi said last month that China’s possible use of force against Taiwan could constitute a so-called survival-threatening situation for Japan, in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, a Chinese fighter jet directed its radar at Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighters over the high seas off the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa on Saturday. Meanwhile, Ako indicated that the likelihood is low for China to take measures that will cause damage to its economy, which has been sluggish. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]