Japan’s top government spokesperson says a recent Japan-Taiwan coast guard drill was not held with any third country, such as China, in mind.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa referred on Friday to the search and rescue drill held the day before in the sea south of the Boso Peninsula near Tokyo.
The first-ever joint rescue drill involving coast guard patrol ships from Japan and Taiwan was staged as part of exchanges between the two sides’ liaison offices. Japan and Taiwan do not have diplomatic ties.
Hayashi noted that Taiwan is a partner with which Japan shares basic values.
He said the privately run liaison offices have signed a memorandum of understanding that calls for cooperation in maritime search and rescue activities and includes measures to deal with smuggling of people and goods.
Hayashi also said regular acts of cooperation based on the memorandum do not target, or have in mind, any third country, including China.
He added that Japan’s government will further deepen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan, in line with its basic position of maintaining a non-governmental practical relationship.