Can Japan's Military Defend Taiwan Alone?

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comments on Taiwan have sparked a diplomatic dispute with China. Beyond the political argument, a critical military question remains: Could Japan's Self-Defence Forces fight China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) without direct U.S. support? Takaichi's stance suggests Japan must be prepared to do so. This position relates to security laws passed in 2015. That legislation allows Japan to exercise the right of "collective self-defense." This policy shift permits Japan to defend allies under attack, even if Japan itself is not. It marked a major change from the country's post-war, pacifist military posture. The core strategic dilemma, however, is unchanged. Experts widely consider a direct military confrontation between Japan and China over Taiwan as a severe risk. The PLA's massive scale presents a formidable challenge for any single nation.