Washington’s muted stance leaves Japan uneasy amid escalating China tensions

Washington’s silence fuels Japan’s anxiety over China

Japan has been pressing the Trump administration for a more vocal and unequivocal show of support after a diplomatic storm erupted over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan. Her assertion that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute an “existential threat” to Japan — potentially triggering Japanese military involvement — provoked a fierce backlash from Beijing. What unsettled Tokyo was not China’s outrage but Washington’s silence, the Financial Times reported.

According to people familiar with recent exchanges, Japanese officials privately conveyed disappointment that senior US voices had not forcefully defended Takaichi. While some American diplomats in Tokyo made reassuring statements, Tokyo believes these were too low-level to counterbalance Beijing’s aggressive rhetoric or the risks posed by military encounters in the region.

China’s response to Takaichi’s remarks has veered far beyond diplomatic protest. Beijing issued travel warnings to its citizens, warned of economic retaliation and condemned the Japanese leader in a series of strongly worded statements. Japan’s defence ministry also reported that Chinese fighter jets had locked their radars onto Japanese aircraft near Okinawa, raising fears that a miscalculation could spark a wider crisis.

For Tokyo, this combination of political and military pressure makes US public support even more critical. Japanese officials argue that Washington benefits directly from Japan’s defence commitments in any Taiwan contingency, and they believe Takaichi’s remarks actually clarified Japan’s readiness to assist US forces. Analysts say it was the most explicit statement ever made by a Japanese prime minister on the country’s obligations under the alliance.

The diplomatic frustration comes at an awkward moment. President Trump has repeatedly instructed his team to avoid actions that could jeopardise his recently negotiated trade deal with China. That directive appears to have created hesitation inside the administration over issuing strong public statements that might anger Beijing.

The ambiguity was illustrated when the only noticeable public support for Takaichi came from a deputy State Department spokesperson’s post on X. Japanese officials had expected something far more authoritative. Even Trump himself has stopped short of defending her, despite cultivating a warm personal relationship during his Tokyo visit in October. When asked about China’s vitriolic attacks on Takaichi, including a death-threat-like post from a Chinese diplomat, Trump instead remarked that “a lot of our allies aren’t our friend,” offering no direct support.

US policy veterans say the hesitation is puzzling and potentially damaging. Former senior White House and Pentagon officials argue that Washington should have strongly backed Japan, both because of the alliance’s importance and because Beijing’s attacks on a foreign leader set a dangerous precedent. Some also highlight the personal dimension: Takaichi’s mentor, Shinzo Abe, was assassinated in 2022, making threats against her especially sensitive.

According to analysts, Washington risks sending mixed signals to both allies and adversaries. Japan fears that silence could embolden China while discouraging Taiwan. Meanwhile, China may interpret Washington’s quiet approach as an opportunity to drive wedges within US-aligned networks in Asia.

Behind the scenes, American officials maintain that the US is fully committed to Japan’s security. Senior diplomats have repeated that the alliance remains the “cornerstone” of Indo-Pacific stability. But Tokyo believes private reassurances are no longer enough. With tensions around Taiwan intensifying, Japan wants a clear, public reminder that the US stands firmly by its side.

As one former US ambassador put it, Japan is “America’s indispensable ally” in the region. Any hint of hesitation, he warned, risks undermining deterrence at a moment when Beijing is testing boundaries with increasing boldness.