Takaichi's remarks drew sharp condemnation from Beijing after she condemned its repression in the Inner Mongolia region in October, and warned in November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could invoke Japan's right to collective self-defense.

This law authorizes the United States to provide the island with military equipment for self-defense. Ms. Oudkirk also mentioned the delivery progress of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

The United States maintains legal ties with Taiwan guaranteeing that it will supply the island with the arms it needs for self-defense.

(Annabelle Chih/Getty Images) She underscored the necessity for Taiwan to fortify its self-defense capabilities as a means to secure national interests and rally international backing.

US Support Although the United States does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it maintains ties with Taipei under the Taiwan Relations Act, which allows Washington to provide military equipment for the island's self-defense.

"It also allows the country to maintain a rock-solid self-defense, [and] regional peace [and] stability," the ministry wrote on Twitter.

That includes flying warplanes near Taiwan on a nearly daily basis and carrying out large-scale military drills in the Taiwan Strait, designed to demonstrate the regime's might and wear down the island's defense.

The dispute erupted after Takaichi stated that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger Japan's right to collective self-defense, marking the first time a sitting Japanese prime minister has explicitly linked Taiwan’s security to Japan’s own survival—remarks

The move came as Beijing has grown increasingly hostile toward Japan following November remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan would be justified in activating its Self-Defense Force in the event of an attack on Taiwan, which triggered

However, the two sides have enjoyed a robust relationship based on the Taiwan Relations Act, a law that authorizes the United States to provide the island with military equipment and weapons for self-defense. Reuters contributed to the article. 

However, the two sides have a robust relationship based on the Taiwan Relations Act, a law that authorizes the United States to provide the island with military equipment for self-defense.

The Taiwanese president thanked Congress for its bipartisan support for Taiwan toward "enhancing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, fostering robust trade and economic ties ... and supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in the international community

Japan's (Self) Defense of Taiwan Following World War II, Japan’s constitution was amended to allow for national self-defense forces while barring the buildup of an expeditionary military.

The United States has long been Taiwan’s primary arms supplier for its self-defense, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.

Surface-to-ship missiles (L) are carried in front of Mount Fuji during a live-fire exercise by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on June 8, 2025.

That’s why we will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability.”

The United States has approved a possible $95 million sale of military equipment, training, and other items to Taiwan to boost the self-ruled island's air defenses, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. The U.S.

The deployment on Yonaguni Island, just 68 miles off Taiwan’s east coast, would “reduce the likelihood of armed attacks on Japan,” Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said while touring the Japan Self-Defense Forces base on the island.

These comments, made during a parliamentary session on Nov. 7, framed a potential Chinese military action against Taiwan as a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, potentially justifying collective self-defense.

Regarding Taiwan–China relations, Burns proposed helping Taiwan to "maintain a self defense capability."

Under a domestic law enacted in 2015, Japan can exercise the right to self-defense if a military attack against a friendly nation threatens its survival.

TAIPEI, Taiwan—A visiting U.S. congressional delegation expressed support for Taiwan’s self-defense, just days after China conducted large-scale military exercises in an attempt to intimidate the island’s newly sworn-in administration of President Lai

The Trump administration wants Taiwan to move half of its semiconductor production to the United States, a move that could have an impact on the island nation’s self-defense against communist China’s military aggression. U.S.

TAIPEI, Taiwan—China’s military sent 39 planes and three ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the island, Taiwan's defense ministry said Thursday.

Wu also conveyed Taiwan's interest in cooperating with Israel during the interview, saying that Taiwan has always admired Israel's self-defense capabilities. “That is something that we want to emulate.

The recall vote came as Taiwan seeks to bolster its defenses against an increasingly aggressive communist China, which considers Taiwan a renegade breakaway territory and plans to bring it back under its control.

Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States makes available defense articles and services as necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.

He said that the concept of first strike derives mainly from the right of self-defense in international law.

It warned that if Japan “dares to intervene militarily in cross-straits situation,” the CCP will deliver a “resolute, head-on blow” and exercise its right of self-defense.

The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Still, Washington is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with the arms necessary for self-defense and to prevent any unilateral changes to the status quo.