In a recent phone conversation, the U.S. president advised Japan’s prime minister to avoid escalating diplomatic friction with China, according to sources familiar with the matter. The discussion followed controversial remarks by the Japanese leader regarding potential military involvement in a Taiwan contingency, which provoked strong objections from Beijing.
The Japanese leader’s earlier statement in parliament—suggesting that Japan could take military action if China were to attack Taiwan—triggered the most serious diplomatic rift between Tokyo and Beijing in years. Chinese authorities demanded a retraction, but the Japanese government has maintained that its official policy remains unchanged.
During the call, the American leader expressed hope that Tokyo would refrain from further provoking China. While urging de-escalation, he did not issue specific demands. The exchange came shortly after the U.S. president spoke with China’s leader, who reiterated that Taiwan’s unification with the mainland is central to Beijing’s global vision.
Taiwan’s government has consistently rejected China’s sovereignty claim, asserting that its people have no desire to be ruled by Beijing.
An editorial in a Chinese state-run newspaper called on the United States to restrain Japan from what it described as attempts to revive militarism. It emphasized the shared responsibility of both nations to uphold the post-World War II international order.
The White House issued a statement underscoring the strong U.S.-China relationship while reaffirming America’s close alliance with Japan. Japan’s government declined to comment beyond its initial readout, which noted that the two leaders discussed U.S.-China relations without providing further details.
