The new Defense Minister of Japan, Nobuo Kishi, is known for his affinity to Taiwan. (Image via AFP/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)

Suga appoints new Defense Minister; China wary

While dispatching its military units near Taiwan to press its growing political proximity to the United States (U.S), China also became wary that Japan is closing in to approach Taiwan, a region that Mainland China regards as a renegade province. Furthermore, in September, the Prime Minister (PM) of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, appointed Nobuo Kishi as the new Defense Minister of Japan.

As the younger brother of the former PM, Shinzo Abe, Kishi is known for his affinity for Taiwan. Moreover, Beijing sees Kishi may inherit Abe's hawkish conservative view and support the U.S as well. Kishi was appointed during Beijing's promise to deepen its ties with Tokyo as the tension between China and the U.S is rising over security issues when the U.S is expanding its outreach to democratic Taiwan. But, it will take time for Beijing to see whether Suga's appointment of Kishi is an attempt to strengthen ties with Taiwan.

Since the civil war in 1949, Mainland China and Taiwan are separately governed. Their relations have been deteriorating further since 2016, under the government of the independence-leaning president, Tsai Ing-wen. Japan cut ties with Taiwan and made one with Beijing instead in 1972. However, Japan does not leave Taiwan alone by cooperating cooperation and people-to-people exchanges in various sectors, from education to health care.

Known for his sympathy for Taiwan, Kishi raised to fame when he visited Taiwan in August with the former PM, Yoshiro Mori, to pay homage to the death of the former popularly elected Taiwanese president, Lee Teng-hui. Moreover, in 2015, Kishi, aiming to bolster relations with Taiwan, also hosted Tsai when she visited Yamaguchi Prefecture. Therefore, it is evident that China is wary that Kishi's appointment means that he is willing to "evolve something tacit" with Taiwan.

When Suga was appointed the new PM on 16 September, China stated its hope that the two countries would strengthen their cooperation and exchanges. However, regarding Kishi's appointment, Beijing wants Japan to respect China's "One China" policy. In other words, China warned Japan to avoid any official contact with Taiwan.

Source: https://bit.ly/3ivtouq