Taiwan-Japan Relations: Implications for the United States

The Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) is pleased to invite you to a virtual seminar on Taiwan-Japan relations and their implications for the United States. During their meeting on April 16 of this year, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga took the unprecedented step of acknowledging the "importance of peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait." While undoubtedly momentous, this statement did not emerge from a vacuum, but was instead indicative of broader trends in US-Japan-Taiwan relations. In the shadow of China's authoritarian advance, Taipei and Tokyo have increasingly sought to cooperate on the international stage. From expanding trade ties to deepening cultural affinities, the two island nations have built the foundations for a strong future relationship. Despite these advances, the United States has largely refrained from acknowledging the strategic implications of stronger Taiwan-Japan relations. Now, as the Biden Administration seeks to counter Chinese assertiveness and bolster its position in East Asia, it can no longer afford to ignore this crucial relationship.