Taipei: Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang expressed hope on Tuesday, as he set out on a four-day trip to Japan, that Taiwan can help ease the current tensions between Japan and China. Huang stated before departing from Taipei Songshan Airport with a group of young party members that Taiwan and Japan maintain not only close ties but also a very friendly relationship.

According to Focus Taiwan, the TPP leader commented on the rising China-Japan tensions, noting Japan’s reliance on energy imports through the Taiwan Strait makes it monitor the situation closely. He pointed out that historical grievances and territorial disputes have recently been intensified by Taiwan-related issues for China. Huang urged China and Japan to tone down their rhetoric to avoid further escalating tensions and expressed hope that Taiwan could play a role in fostering harmony and balance rather than becoming a flashpoint, though he did not elaborate on how to achieve that.

Huang highlighted that regional security is key to Taiwan’s own security. On November 7, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi remarked that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute “a situation threatening Japan’s survival,” potentially triggering a military response. The comment provoked anger in China, which has since taken measures aimed at impacting Japan’s economy, including issuing advisories against travel and study in Japan and suspending the resumption of Japanese seafood imports.

When questioned about whether former TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je had offered any advice for the Japan trip, Huang said he and Ko discuss everything openly. He mentioned that Ko believes regional stability is vital for Taiwan’s security and that all parties should engage in rational dialogue rather than inflaming tensions when conflicts arise between China and Japan.