Statement of the Japan-US Summit Includes 'Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait'

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] According to NHK on the 17th, the United States and Japan mentioned Taiwan in a joint statement from their summit meeting for the first time in about 52 years.

According to the report, on the 16th (local time) at the White House in Washington DC, the joint statement from the summit meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga included a passage where both countries "emphasize the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and call for a peaceful resolution of cross-strait (China and Taiwan) issues."

This marks the first time in about 52 years since the summit meeting between then U.S. President Richard Nixon and then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in November 1969 that Taiwan was mentioned in a joint U.S.-Japan summit document.

The 1969 joint statement included the content that "maintaining peace and security in the Taiwan region is also a very important factor for Japan's security."

This is the first time Taiwan has been mentioned in a U.S.-Japan summit statement since Japan severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established relations with China in 1972.