Comments made a month ago by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that triggered a diplomatic spat with China over Taiwan appear to have been unscripted, based on documents obtained by a lawmaker, in what could point to a misstep by the premier.
Tensions between Tokyo and Beijing have flared since Takaichi said in parliament on Nov. 7 that a Taiwan crisis might constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan — a classification that would provide a legal justification for Tokyo to deploy its military alongside other countries if they chose to respond.