A pro-independence Taiwanese think tank threw its backing Monday behind Japan's decision last week to allow the use of collective self-defense.
Liu Shih-chung, president of the Taiwan Brain Trust, voiced regret that the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou was unclear about its position on the decision by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet to approve a reinterpretation of Article 9 of the Constitution.
"The think tank is in favor of the Abe Cabinet's decision to enable Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense," he said, adding its members hope Japan will play a more responsible leading role in the region and all Asian-Pacific countries refrain from unilaterally changing the status quo with nonpeaceful means.