Author: Lye Liang Fook
Published: 20 Mar 2026
Lye Liang Fook argues that Beijing’s retaliatory measures against Japan could increase pressure on ASEAN countries, making it important for ASEAN to continue emphasising restraint and peaceful dialogue.
China-Japan relations remain in the doldrums months after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks that China’s use of force against Taiwan could pose a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. Compared with the earlier measures imposed on South Korea for deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, Beijing’s actions against Japan this time are markedly different in both scope and intensity. Beyond Japan, China is likely to press other countries, Southeast Asia included, to adopt stronger language opposing Taiwan independence and supporting China’s reunification agenda.
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