Trump effect: Ex-Japan minister calls for regional security alliance

Taipei, April 28 (CNA) A former Japanese minister who nearly won the 2024 race to lead Japan's ruling party called on Japan, Taiwan, and other regional democratic partners Monday to form a "quasi-security alliance" given the unpredictability of the United States.

Speaking at a Taipei seminar, Sanae Takaichi, a senior Diet member who most recently served as minister of state for economic security from 2022 to 2024, said many Japanese had a false belief that the U.S. would unconditionally defend Japan based on the 1960 U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office earlier this year, however, Japanese have seen Trump make contradictory statements on the treaty on a daily basis, leading them to second-guess if the U.S. would come to Japan's aid when needed, according to Takaichi.

Takaichi said in Monday's address that she has always called on Japan to beef up its self-defense capabilities.

In fact, Taiwan and Japan are facing similar situations, and both need to strengthen their respective self-defense capabilities, she said.

One cannot rely on a single country alone for protection in the current global environment, however, and while each country is engaging in strengthening their own defense capabilities, like-minded allies should also join forces to face challenges, she said.

Japan, Taiwan, Europe, Australia and India and other countries upholding democratic values, should form a "quasi-security alliance" to protect each other's security and safety, she said.

The Japanese lawmaker was referring to the fact that since taking office, Trump has complained several times about the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty as "one-sided," most recently earlier this month as both allies were about to engage in trade negotiations.

The treaty grants Washington the right to have bases on Japanese soil for American troops and commits it to come to the defense of Tokyo if the Asian ally is attacked.

Aside from defense cooperation, Takaichi also called on Japan and Taiwan to jointly bolster economic security issues, including by building strategic partnerships in the semiconductor supply chain area and in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Takaichi arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a three-day visit, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Her delegation also includes House of Representatives members Hitoshi Kikawada and Masanao Ozaki, as well as House of Councillors member Kei Sato, MOFA said.

According to Takaichi, the group met with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and other Taiwanese lawmakers across party lines, earlier Monday.

Takaichi has been a member of the Japanese House of Representatives for the long-time ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 2005.

She was one of the frontrunners in the LDP's presidential race last year, but she ultimately lost in a tense run-off to fellow Diet member Shigeru Ishiba, who became prime minister.