Japan

Japanese Prime Minister

18 Nov 2022 1 2

Yasukazu Hamada

Inserted 1 year ago

“Whatever the intentions are, North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches are absolutely impermissible and we cannot overlook its substantial advancement of missile technology. North Korea's series of actions pose threats to Japan, as well as the region and the international community, and are absolutely intolerable.”

Japan's Defense Minister

14 Oct 2022 2 2

Hirokazu Matsuno

Inserted 1 year ago

“North Korea's series of actions, including its repeated ballistic missile launches, threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community, and poses a serious challenge to the entire international community, including Japan.”

Japanese Government spokesman

04 Oct 2022 3 3

Tsai Ing-wen

Inserted 1 year ago

“I believe everyone is as surprised and sad as I am. Taiwan and Japan are both democratic countries with rule of law. On behalf of my government, I would like to severely condemn violent and illegal acts. Former Prime Minister Abe is not only a good friend of mine, but also a staunch friend of Taiwan's. He has supported Taiwan for many years and spared no effort to promote the progress of Taiwan-Japan relations.”

President of Taiwan

08 Jul 2022 3 2

Benoit Hardy-Chatrand

Inserted 1 year ago

“This is certainly not something we are used to seeing in Tokyo. We never have this kind of gun violence. [We have] one of the lowest rates of homicide in the world. So this comes as a shock to everyone, especially considering the stature of the importance of the victim of Abe Shinzo, one of the most important post-war politicians for Japan. We are hoping for the best, but as of now, given how close range all of this happened, things do not look particularly good.”

Professor at Japan’s Temple University

08 Jul 2022 3 2

Takehiro Funakoshi

Inserted 1 year ago

“The (May 25) launch, which was a combination of an ICBM class and one with irregular trajectory, this was another violation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions and we need to respond in a resolute manner.”

Director-general of the Asian and Oceanian affairs bureau of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

03 Jun 2022 3 3

Fumio Kishida

Inserted 1 year ago

“Collaboration among countries sharing universal values becomes ever more vital. We must collaborate with our allies and like-minded countries, and never tolerate a unilateral attempt to change the status quo by the use of force in the Indo-Pacific [region], especially in East Asia. Ukraine may be East Asia tomorrow. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is critical not only for Japan's security, but also for the stability of international society. Japan maintains its position to expect a peaceful resolution through dialogue to issues surrounding Taiwan, and the situation will be watched carefully from that perspective.”

Japanese Prime Minister

05 May 2022 7 4

Fumio Kishida

Inserted 2 years ago

“Japan must clearly show its position that we will never tolerate any attempt to change the status quo by force.”

Japanese Prime Minister

25 Feb 2022 2 4

Hirokazu Matsuno

Inserted 2 years ago

“North Korea's ongoing military activity, including its repeated ballistic missile launches, are threats to the peace and safety of Japan and the region, and are serious concerns for all of the international society.”

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary

14 Jan 2022 3 2

Jeffrey Hornung

Inserted 2 years ago

“There is no coded messaging here. China is the challenge and they said as much, then detailed all the ways the alliance is determined to work to counter its destabilising activities.”

Reuters

Senior political scientist at RAND Corp

06 Jan 2022 4 3

Daniel Russel

Inserted 2 years ago

“This is clearly a combined message reflecting a common concern, not a case of U.S. arm-twisting to get Japan to sign onto vague euphemisms. In particular, the expression of joint resolve to respond if necessary to destabilising activities comes across as a powerful expression of alliance solidarity and determination.”

Reuters

Top U.S. diplomat for East Asia under President Barack Obama

06 Jan 2022 2 2

Hirokazu Matsuno

Inserted 2 years ago

“Japan believes it is important that common values shared by the international community, such as freedom, human rights and the rule of law, are also respected in China. As Tokyo 2020 demonstrated to the world, the Olympics and the Paralympics are festivals of peace and sports.”

Japanese Government spokesman

24 Dec 2021 6 2

Homei Miyashita

Inserted 2 years ago

“In the Covid-19 era, this kind of technology can enhance the way people connect and interact with the outside world. The goal is to make it possible for people to have the experience of something like eating at a restaurant on the other side of the world, even while staying at home.”

Trtworld

Professor and Dean of the Department of Advanced Media Science, Faculty of Comprehensive Mathematics, Meiji University

23 Dec 2021 1 3

Keiji Furuya

Inserted 2 years ago

“Japan firmly supports the application by the ROC [Republic of China], as one of our truly vital partners, to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership [TPP] trade agreement. In moving to help negotiate Taiwanese membership in the TPP, we eagerly look forward to the resolution of a number of related issues. Among them, the ROC ban on imports of food products from a total of five Japanese prefectures.”

Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan

14 Dec 2021 4 3

Shinzo Abe

Inserted 2 years ago

“An adventure in military affairs, if pursued by such a huge economy like China's, could be suicidal to say the least. We must urge them not to pursue territorial expansion and restrain from provoking, often bullying, their neighbours because it would harm their own interests. Japan, the US and Taiwan should spare no effort in building our capabilities in all domains - from the undersea, sea surface, air space to the cyber and outer space to counter security threats in the region. Lest we forget, weakness invites provocations. With that in mind, I worked hard first to reinvest into the alliance with the US, second to widen our boundary from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific, and third to launch the Quad process.”

Scmp

Former Prime Minister of Japan

14 Dec 2021 6 3

Mike Ryan

Inserted 2 years ago

“Does the virus read your passport? Does the virus know your nationality or where you are legally resident?”

Head of WHO’s emergencies programme

01 Dec 2021 2 2

Shinzo Abe

Inserted 2 years ago

“A Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency, and therefore an emergency for the Japan-US alliance. People in Beijing, [Chinese] President Xi Jinping in particular, should never have a misunderstanding in recognizing this. A stronger Taiwan, a thriving Taiwan, and a Taiwan that guarantees freedom and human rights are also in Japan's interests. Of course, this is also in the interest of the whole world. A military action targeting Taiwan would also lead to 'economic suicide' for China, despite it being one of the world's top economies, and significantly affect the global economy given China's close economic and trade ties with the rest of the world.”

Former Prime Minister of Japan

01 Dec 2021 8 4

Fumio Kishida

Inserted 2 years ago

“I will consider all options, including possessing so-called enemy base strike capability, to pursue strengthening of defence power that is necessary. The security environment surrounding Japan has been rapidly changing at an unprecedented speed. Things that used to happen only in science-fiction novels are today's reality.”

Japanese Prime Minister

27 Nov 2021 2 3

Yoshimasa Hayashi

Inserted 2 years ago

“We are seeing more serious challenges to universal values, which have sustained peace and the stability of the international community and the international order.”

Taiwannews

Foreign minister of Japan

11 Nov 2021 5 1

Kenneth McElwain

Inserted 2 years ago

“The thing I'm most surprised by is how well Ishin [Nippon Ishin no Kai] has done. Yoshimura [Hirofumi Yoshimura] developed a major national profile, which I think has also served as a tailwind for the party overall.”

Theguardian

Political science professor at Tokyo University

01 Nov 2021 4 3

Yu Uchiyama

Inserted 2 years ago

“There is a lot of interest, especially in Asia, over whether Japan will try to revise its constitution, but by the look of it that won't be possible with the (existing) ruling coalition. But the Japan Innovation party looks like it has captured a lot of seats, so we may be seeing some sort of constitution-related coalition, even if the possibility of constitutional revision remains low.”

Theguardian

Political science professor at the University of Tokyo

01 Nov 2021 4 4

Sheila A Smith

Inserted 2 years ago

“Revolving-door prime ministers is a weakness that many outside of Japan fear. Prime Minister Kishida [Fumio Kishida] will need a unified party and a strong electoral showing on Oct. 31 if he is to successfully tackle Japan's difficult national agenda.”

Senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations

31 Oct 2021 2 2

Fumio Kishida

Inserted 2 years ago

“I have not withdrawn the (idea of the) health crisis management agency. It's up to the coronavirus situation whether this command centre can be created in time for the current crisis. But in this era of infectious diseases, it is important to have such command tower-like function ready.”

Taiwannews

Japanese Prime Minister

18 Oct 2021 3 2

Fumio Kishida

Inserted 2 years ago

“Relations between Japan and South Korea continue to be in severe conditions.”

Japanese politician and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party

15 Oct 2021 1 1

Toshimitsu Motegi

Inserted 2 years ago

“Japan believes that it is crucial for the situation surrounding Taiwan to be peaceful and stable. Additionally, instead of simply monitoring the situation, we hope to weigh the various possible scenarios that may arise to consider what options we have, as well as the preparations we must make.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan

05 Oct 2021 2 3

Terence Roehrig

Inserted 2 years ago

“While a new leadership is always an opportunity for change, I think that Kishida's [Fumio Kishida] victory to lead the LDP [Liberal Democratic Party] will not have much impact on Korea-Japan relations in the near term. Kishida will assess the new Korean administration's position on improving ties. There may be an opportunity for progress then, but the obstacles remain huge.”

U.S. Naval War College professor

30 Sep 2021 6 4

Jeffrey Hornung

Inserted 2 years ago

“Taiwan is the biggest question for me. The outgoing Suga administration had been public in having conversations about Taiwan. It will be interesting to see whether the new leader takes this approach, such as advocating for Taiwan's inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.”

Senior political scientist at RAND Corp

29 Sep 2021 3 6

Fumio Kishida

Inserted 2 years ago

“I felt our democracy is in a crisis. I, Fumio Kishida, have a special skill of listening to people. I am determined to make an effort toward making a more open LDP [Liberal Democratic Party] and a bright future for Japan together with you all.”

Japanese politician and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party

29 Sep 2021 3 3

Jesper Koll

Inserted 2 years ago

“A win for the establishment. Kishida [Fumio Kishida] stands for stability, for not rocking the boat and most importantly, doing what elite technocrats tell him to do.”

Reuters

Expert director at Monex Group

29 Sep 2021 4 3

Yu Uchiyama

Inserted 2 years ago

“Wednesday's vote is seen as a test of whether the party can move out of Abe's shadow. What's at stake is the state of democracy in Japan, and if or how the new leader is willing to listen to the people's voices and take them into political consideration. Prime minister Suga obviously had a problem with communicating with the people and did not provide accountability.”

Theguardian

Political science professor at the University of Tokyo

28 Sep 2021 5 4

Nobuo Kishi

Inserted 2 years ago

“What's happening in Taiwan is directly linked to Japan. Taiwan sits astride the energy lifeline that sustains Japan. Ninety percent of the energy that Japan uses is imported through the areas around Taiwan. What could happen in Taiwan could likely be an issue for Japan, and in that case, Japan will have to take the necessary response to that situation. Conflicts should be resolved by dialogue, not military force.”

Minister of Defense of Japan

16 Sep 2021 2 2

Nobuo Kishi

Inserted 2 years ago

“Against Chinese action to Senkaku Islands and other parts of the East China Sea ... we have to demonstrate that the government of Japan is resolutely defending our territory with the greater number of Japanese coast guard vessels than that of China. There is no territorial dispute relating to the Senkaku Islands between Japan and other countries.”

Minister of Defense of Japan

16 Sep 2021 3 3

Yoshihide Suga

Inserted 2 years ago

“The firings threaten the peace and safety of Japan and the region and are absolutely outrageous. The government of Japan is determined to further step up our vigilance and surveillance to be prepared for any contingencies.”

Prime Minister of Japan

15 Sep 2021 1 3

Toshihiro Nikai

Inserted 2 years ago

“Today at the executive meeting, (party) president Suga [Yoshihide Suga] said he wants to focus his efforts on anti-coronavirus measures and will not run in the leadership election. Honestly, I'm surprised. It's truly regrettable. He did his best but after careful consideration, he made this decision.”

Japanese politician - Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

03 Sep 2021 1 2

Yasutoshi Nishimura

Inserted 2 years ago

“Critical cases have spiked suddenly and the medical system is in an extremely dire state.”

Japan's Economy Minister

25 Aug 2021 2 2

Nobuo Kishi

Inserted 2 years ago

“The defence stability of Taiwan is very important, not just for Japan's security, but for the stability of the world as well.”

Smh

Minister of Defense of Japan

12 Aug 2021 1 3

Nobuo Kishi

Inserted 2 years ago

“Japan's defence policy is not targeted at any specific nation. But given that the security environment surrounding Japan is getting even harsher, we must build a structure where we can protect ourselves. [China] is trying to change the status quo unilaterally backed by force and coercion. And they're trying to make it into a fait accompli. For us to be able to respond to those challenges, what we must do is enhance our defence capabilities on our own. There could be a constitutional debate in [autumn] this year in the national Diet, but this is a matter for the Diet. I will refrain from making such comments.”

Smh

Minister of Defense of Japan

12 Aug 2021 2 3

Rahul Mishra

Inserted 2 years ago

“Japan's more than 500-page white paper is another reminder of the grim strategic reality of the region. It highlights, yet again, that if major stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region are interested in making the area robust and stronger, they have to work in tandem. This is crucial when the US-China rivalry is only becoming more bitter and intense, with Beijing showing no sign of willingness to improve ties with regional stakeholders. The failed US-China talks in Alaska in March and in Tianjin last month clearly demonstrate that. They also signal that major Asian powers, such as Japan and India, have to devise their own policies and play a more proactive role in the region.”

Senior lecturer at the University of Malaya’s Asia-Europe Institute in Kuala Lumpur

04 Aug 2021 6 8

Toshio Nakagawa

Inserted 2 years ago

“What we have worried about is now actually happening. The surge in cases has been expected whether we have the Olympics or not, and we are afraid that there will be an explosive increase in cases regardless of the Olympics.”