Japan and US pledge close cooperation on Taiwan during Pelosi visit

Tokyo, Japan - Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met in Tokyo on Friday to reaffirm their commitment to working together closely to maintain peace in the region, as tensions in the Taiwan Strait continue to rise.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (l.) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (r.) during a meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (l.) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (r.) during a meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo.  © STR / JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS / AFP

On Thursday, five missile shells were fired into Japan's exclusive economic zone by China's People's Liberation Army from the waters off Taiwan.

China's behavior had "serious implications for peace and stability in the region and the international community," Kishida said, according to Japanese media reports.

Pelosi, the third-highest ranking official in Washington, arrived in Tokyo on Thursday evening at the end of an Asian tour that has also taken her to Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and South Korea.

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Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has heightened tensions with China, which sees the democratic island republic as part of its territory.

The Chinese military was holding major air and sea drills in the waters surrounding Taiwan this week, in what appared to be retaliation for the visit.

China's largest military show of force in decades apparently had the goal of deterring Taiwan from any further displays of independence.

Japan has refrained from taking an official stance on Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, and has instead advocated for a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue through dialogue.

Cover photo: STR / JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS / AFP

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