Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election set for Saturday, expressed hopes on Wednesday for dialogue with Chinese leaders over Taiwan.
"Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are, of course, concerns for Japan," she said in an essay submitted to the Hudson Institute, a U.S. think tank. "I also wish to engage in solid and candid dialogue with Chinese leaders."
"Unilateral changes to the status quo through force or coercion must never occur," she said. "Taiwan is an extremely important partner and a valued friend for Japan."
Takaichi indicated her intention to increase Japan's defense spending and sought to continuously review its defense strategy and capabilities.
"It is essential to promptly formulate economic measures and swiftly implement a series of policies that will yield fast results," she said.
In a separate essay submitted to the think tank, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, another candidate for the LDP race, called for discussing whether Japan's defense capabilities are sufficient, based on the current military situation and the latest technological trends, including drones.
Hayashi also stressed the need to ensure that real wages grow at an annual pace of 1% or higher to achieve their sustained increase that consistently outpaces inflation.
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