Taiwan ‘very important’ to Japan: academicStaff writer, with CNATaiwan is “very important” to Japan for three strategic reasons, a Japanese academic said on Friday while discussing scenarios under which the Japan Self-Defense Forces could be mobilized. Photo:ReutersAny contingency involving Taiwan would heighten Japan’s sense of insecurity, he said, adding that Taiwan lies only about 111km from Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost point. Japan is increasingly dependent on semiconductors imported from Taiwan, which accounts about two-thirds of global semiconductor output, Kiridori said. What Takaichi said is if there is a naval blockade of Taiwan and if force is used, Japan could consider the situation a threat to its survival, he said. “We don’t want confrontation between the United States and China, and we don’t want a destabilized Taiwan Strait,” he added.

Source: Taipei Times January 31, 2026 17:14 UTC