Japan, Taiwan and the “One China” Framework after 50 Years

Abstract

This study analyses the “one China” framework's significance for Japan–Taiwan relations since Tokyo switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972. Drawing on Chinese-, Japanese- and English-language sources, it examines developments since the breakthrough Japan–PRC normalization communiqué and the “Japan formula,” which enabled Tokyo to normalize relations – six years before Washington – without recognizing Beijing's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, and while maintaining robust, if unofficial, ties with Taipei thenceforth. Highlighting distinctions between Beijing's self-asserted “one-China principle” and Japan's ambiguous official position and subsequent effective policies, it assesses incremental but practically significant evolutions of Japan–Taiwan relations over the past half-century. In the 21st century, the trend towards incrementally closer ties has proven strikingly resilient to political transitions in Japan and Taiwan, China's growing power, pushback from Beijing and worsening cross-Strait frictions. Beyond Japan–Taiwan relations and theoretical debates on “one China,” this article's findings carry significant implications for Taiwan's international space, cross-Strait dynamics and China–Japan–United States relations.

Japan 2022: Putin and Abe Shocks thwart Kishida’s enjoyment of three golden years despite major defence overhaul

“…Significantly, within the G7 Japan's position was the toughest in openly questioning the applicability (or not!) of the members' «respective One-China policy» [Interview, 2022b;Liff 2022]. 5 In connection with this, China's Minister of Foreign Affairs staged a walk-out during Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi's speech at the ASEAN Regional Forum on 5 August.…”

“…See the aforementioned G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement. On Japan's One-China policy, refer to Liff (2022), with the caveat that the otherwise robust analysis mythologizes the Japanese government's stance as uniquely nuanced. In fact, Tokyo took wording contained in the normalization of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and France, and also Canada and Italy.…”

“One China” Contention in China–Taiwan Relations: Law, Politics and Identity

“…9Other articles in this special section also note that Taiwan's democratization has led to more identity-based solidarity and support for what effectively is opposition to coerced unification from most major democratic US allies. See Liff, 2022; Brown, 2022; Kastner et al, 2022.…”