Taiwan

Japan’s Taiwan Strait Transit Deepens Washington–Tokyo–Taipei Defense Ties, Analysts Say

The Japanese destroyer’s passage marks the fourth such mission through the waterway since 2024, ahead of an annual multilateral exercise.
Japan’s Taiwan Strait Transit Deepens Washington–Tokyo–Taipei Defense Ties, Analysts Say
A ship sails in the Taiwan Strait between the coast of Pingtan island (foreground), the closest point to Taiwan, and another island in China's southeast Fujian Province on April 7, 2023. Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images
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A Japanese warship’s transit of the Taiwan Strait has highlighted the limited impact of the Chinese regime’s intimidation campaign, with an expert saying the move will likely push Washington, Tokyo, and Taipei to deepen defense ties.

Japan’s JS Ikazuchi destroyer passed through the strait on April 17, according to Kyodo News.

Jarvis Lim
Jarvis Lim
Author
Jarvis Lim is a Taiwan-based writer focusing on human rights, U.S.–China relations, China's economic and political influence in Southeast Asia, and cross-strait relations.