Japan, Taiwan must strengthen defences against growing Chinese threat: Japanese lawmaker

On 11 September 2026, a seminar on Japan‑Taiwan security cooperation was held in Taipei, where Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki of the Japan Innovation Party urged both countries to strengthen their defensive capabilities against a growing Chinese threat.

Speaking at the event, Seki said that Japan and Taiwan face a “growing military threat from China” and that their democratic systems must be protected through continued enhancement of defensive capabilities. He cited an old Chinese saying, “If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold,” to emphasize the close relationship between the two nations and the mutual danger posed by a potential Chinese attack.

Seki added that the Chinese Communist Party regime “will never give up on invading Taiwan and Japan” and called for Japan, Taiwan and the United States to further strengthen their security alliance to deter Chinese aggression. He noted that both Japan and Taiwan have pledged to increase defence spending, arguing that peace can only be achieved through strength.

Hei Seki, born in China, graduated from Peking University before moving to Japan in 1988. He became a naturalised Japanese citizen in 2007 and later worked as a university lecturer and political commentator before entering politics. In September 2025, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions against Seki for his China‑critical stance, support for Taiwan and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine. The sanctions included a ban on entering China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Another member of Japan’s House of Councillors, Haruo Kitamura of the Conservative Party of Japan, also spoke at the seminar. Kitamura called for a stronger security alliance between Japan, Taiwan and the United States, citing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s promotion of a “Free and Open Indo‑Pacific” region. He described Taiwan as a close friend “like family” and said that a steadfast alliance would enable the three countries to face any challenge.

At the opening of the seminar, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia‑lung said that Taiwan, Japan and other countries along the First Island Chain should no longer be viewed as isolated points of defence amid escalating military coercion by the People’s Liberation Army. Lin highlighted the growing importance of unmanned systems and said that Taiwan and Japan are working together to complement each other’s strengths in developing such systems, with the goal of establishing a “non‑red supply chain” and providing joint disaster response and defensive deterrence capabilities.

The remarks from the Japanese lawmakers and Taiwan’s foreign minister underscored calls for closer security cooperation between Japan, Taiwan and the United States amid concerns over China’s military activities and regional security.

Article and image source: taiwansun.com