A former US defense official has voiced support for Japanese Prime Minister
Sanae Takaichi on her recent remarks suggesting that Japan could help defend
Taiwan.

In an interview with CNN, Ely Ratner, who served as assistant secretary of
defense for Indo-Pacific security under Joe Biden, said Takaichi's comments
on Taiwan simply reflected Japan's position.

He was referring to her suggestion that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could
constitute "a situation threatening Japan's survival" that could in turn
potentially trigger a military response.

China has taken a series of retaliatory measures aimed at hurting Japan's
economy, including issuing advisories against travel and study in Japan and
suspending the resumption of Japanese seafood imports.

Ratner, now a principal of the Washington-based think tank Marathon
Initiative, blasted China's reactions as "inappropriate."

Citing insider sources, a Wall Street Journal report said Trump suggested in
a conversation with Takaichi that she shouldn't provoke Beijing on the Taiwan
issue ... though he didn't press the Japanese prime minister to walk back her
comments.

Ratner told CNN he's "encouraged" that the Japanese government hasn't backed
down in the face of the threats.

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