The government is studying possible responses by the Self-Defense Forces in the event of a military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan, considering various scenarios within the strict confines of the country's national security laws, government sources have said.
Japan, which has restrictions on the use of force under its war-renouncing Constitution, has been alarmed by China's increased regional assertiveness. Tokyo has taken a bolder stance with its U.S. ally when the two mentioned the importance of cross-strait peace in their leaders' joint statement last week.
Tokyo's studies focus on responses to cases when a security crisis emerges with the potential to affect its security if left unchecked, such as when a close partner is attacked and threatens Japan's own survival or when Japan is under direct attack.