Lloyd Austin, US secretary of defense (March 16)
The U.S.-Japan alliance remains a cornerstone in addressing today’s and tomorrow’s challenges as we work together to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Kishi Nobuo, Japanese minister of defense
I would hereby also like to underscore the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
After holding their “two plus two” security talks last week, Japan and the U.S. emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. But during the dialogue itself, the two sides spoke in far greater detail. According to Japanese media, the U.S. and Japan affirmed their cooperation in the event of a military attack on Taiwan. Both parties believed the growing frequency of PLA incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ increased the likelihood of armed conflict in the region. Japanese Minister of Defense Kishi Nobuo pointed out Japan’s proximity to the Taiwan Strait, and said a China-Taiwan conflict would inevitably affect regional peace. He said it was necessary to explore ways the Japan Self-Defense Forces could assist the U.S. forces sent to support Taiwan. When asked for comment, former defense chief Feng Shih-kuan said only that he’s confident in Taiwan’s military leadership.
Feng Shih-kuan, Veterans Affairs Council minister
I do not comment on military affairs anymore. But you all should put your trust in the Ministry of National Defense. There are many officers there with strategic thinking.
Chen Po-wei, Taiwan Statebuilding Party
Since the transition of power in the U.S., the new administration has continued to support the security of the Taiwan Strait. I think this just a continuation of their strategy. There is nothing surprising about that.
It’s worth noting that Japan has a history of speaking conservatively when it comes to the Taiwan Strait. This time around, it’s taken the lead on the issue of Japanese support for U.S. troops. DPP lawmakers say the shift shows the Taiwan Strait is no longer merely a cross-strait issue.
Tsai Shih-ying, DPP lawmaker
This is the first time that issues relating to Taiwan received such priority in security talks between the U.S. and Japan, or in the “two plus two” meeting. Japan’s attitude is an extension of the spirit of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan.
Chen Ting-fei, DPP lawmaker
Even Japan, which was relatively conservative on Taiwan issues in the past, is now willing to dispatch reinforcements. The world is increasingly paying attention to the issue of Taiwan. Taiwan’s status can no longer be ignored.
With China flexing its military might, the U.S. and Japan are making moves to cooperate on defending Taiwan, underscoring Taiwan’s key position on the world stage.
【中文翻譯】
美日安保會談 日首提自衛隊如何協助美軍援台
美日安保會談日前落幕，日本防衛大臣岸信夫在會中指出，日本和台海地理位置相近，若爆發衝突勢必影響和平，有必要探討自衛隊能為前往台灣支援的美軍，提供何種協助，這也是過去相對保守的日本，首度正面表態，朝野立委都認為，這顯示中國野心已被注意，台海已不再只是兩岸之間的事。
[[美國國防部長 奧斯汀(03.16)]]
“在我們共同維護自由開放的，印度太平洋地區時，美日同盟，仍是應對當今和未來挑戰的基石。”
[[日本防衛大臣 岸信夫(03.16)]]
“另外我也在席間強調了，台灣海峽和平安定的重要性。”
美日2+2會談日前落幕，會後定調「台灣海峽的和平與穩定的重要性」，但其實會中談的不只這些。根據日媒共同社報導，美方提出把「台灣突發事態」作為防長會談議題，雙方認為中機擾台頻率增加，會加劇武力衝突可能。岸信夫指出，日本和台海地理位置相近，衝突勢必影響和平，有必要探討自衛隊能為前往台灣支援的美軍，提供何種協助。曾任國防部長的退輔會主委馮世寬，樂觀看待。
[[退輔會主委 馮世寬]]
“(現在)對於國防軍事的評論我都不參與。但你們要信任國防部，你們有很多有謀略的這些軍官在。”
[[立委(基進) 陳柏惟]]
“美國政權交替之後，重申對台海安全的維持，我想這是延續作戰的一部分，沒有什麼好特別驚訝的事情。”
不過值得注意的是，日本過去在台海議題較為保守，這回卻主動提及自衛隊協防台海，綠營立委都認為，這顯示台海已經不是兩岸之間的事。
[[立委(民) 蔡適應]]
“這大概有史以來美日的相關安保會談，或者美日2+2會談裡面，首先第一次把台灣議題列為非常優先。2+2會談裡面，日本方面的態度，其實就是延伸美日安保合約的精神。”
[[立委(民) 陳亭妃]]
“連過去對於在所有台灣議題當中，都比較保守的日本，都願意出自衛隊來協防。全世界對於台灣的議題，已經越來越重視，也認為台灣的地位，已經越來越不可被忽略。”
面對中國文攻武嚇，美日盟邦把協防台灣檯面化，凸顯台灣的重要性。
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