TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japan’s strengthening of military facilities on Yonaguni Island supports stability in the Taiwan Strait, Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Chih-chung (吳志中) said Monday.

The statement comes as Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro inspected the Ground Self-Defense Force base on Yonaguni on Sunday, marking his first visit to the facility, per CNA.

Speaking at a Legislative Yuan briefing, Wu said Yonaguni’s proximity to Taiwan makes Japan’s defensive measures beneficial for regional security. He noted that Japan has no territorial claims or hostility toward Taiwan, and its military enhancements align with Taiwan’s national interests.

DPP lawmaker Chen Chun-yu (陳俊宇) raised concerns about Yonaguni’s strategic location, asking whether Taiwan and Japan would establish a dialogue mechanism on security issues. Wu responded that Japan, as a sovereign nation, has the right to protect its territory, which also contributes to stability in the Taiwan Strait.

On the possibility of a quasi-security alliance, Wu said the ministry favors practical cooperation with Japan to safeguard shared interests. He added that, given China’s stance, signing a formal security treaty is not planned.

“The more friends Taiwan has the better,” Wu said, highlighting Japan, the US, and Europe as aligned in supporting regional peace.