There are developments this week in relations between Asia’s two largest economies. It is a story that focuses on Taiwan and includes the United States as well.

The Japanese government warns that tensions around Taiwan could threaten its own security.

This warning comes from Japan’s Defense Ministry, the first time Taiwan has been mentioned in the ministry’s annual white paper.

“The stabilization of the situation around Taiwan is important for Japan’s security and the stability of the international community,” the report said. “There is a need for us to pay close attention to the situation with a sense of crisis more than ever before.”

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China was “strongly unhappy” with the report, calling it “extremely false and irresponsible”.

Japanese government officials are increasingly vocal about Taiwan. In June, the Minister of Defense said, “Taiwan’s peace and stability are directly linked to Japan.

Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso spoke about Taiwan when he said: “If a major incident occurs…. Japan and the United States must defend Taiwan together.

Taiwan’s security was briefly mentioned publicly when Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with President Biden in April.

Meanwhile, routine joint military exercises continue. The United States and Japan have just completed their largest annual maneuvers — Eastern Shield.

A small part of that was a surface-to-air missile exercise involving 70 people, held on a Japanese island just over 500 miles from Taiwan.