The China Quarterly: “Japan, Taiwan, and the ‘One China’ Framework”

· by · in Peer-reviewed Journal. ·

A third peer-reviewed article in my series on U.S. allies, Taiwan, and “One China” … an analysis of the history and contemporary policy implications of Japan’s “One China” policy and deepening engagement of Taiwan since Tokyo switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972 … has just been published by The China Quarterly. 

Given surging frictions across the Taiwan Strait and between the U.S. and China, as well as significantly deepening concerns and interest in demonstrating support for democratic Taiwan from Japanese leaders, this article–and the special issue initiative of which will be a part–has (unfortunately) become even more timely than I feared it might when I launched this project three years ago… Please take a look!

The version-of-record PDF is now available *open-access* (i.e. free!) A suggested citation, abstract, and link are below.

Abstract

This study analyses the “one China” framework’s significance for Japan–Taiwan relations since Tokyo switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972. Drawing on Chinese-, Japanese- and English-language sources, it examines developments since the breakthrough Japan–PRC normalization communiqué and the “Japan formula,” which enabled Tokyo to normalize relations – six years before Washington – without recognizing Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, and while maintaining robust, if unofficial, ties with Taipei thenceforth. Highlighting distinctions between Beijing’s self-asserted “one-China principle” and Japan’s ambiguous official position and subsequent effective policies, it assesses incremental but practically significant evolutions of Japan–Taiwan relations over the past half century. In the 21st century, the trend towards incrementally closer ties has proven strikingly resilient to political transitions in Japan and Taiwan, China’s growing power, pushback from Beijing, and worsening cross-Strait frictions. Beyond Japan–Taiwan relations and theoretical debates on “one China,” this article’s findings carry significant implications for Taiwan’s international space, cross-Strait dynamics, and China–Japan–United States relations.

Key words 

Japan, Taiwan, China, United States, “One China,” Cross-Strait

摘要: 

本研究旨在分析「一个中国」框架自1972年日中建交以来对日台关係产生的实质意义与影响。透过区隔北京主张的「一个中国原则」与日本官方对此模糊的立场与继之出台的政策，本文检视了过去半世纪以来，日台关係渐进但实质的演变。21世纪以降，日台关係历经日台的政治转型、中国实力的增强、以及愈发恶化的两岸关係仍变得日益紧密，展现了此一关系的韧性。

关键词:

日本；台湾；中国；美国；一个中国；两岸关系