On December 4, Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Yamazaki Kazuyuki sent a second letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over China.

In the letter, Yamazaki rejected China’s assertions over Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s remarks concerning a possible Taiwan contingency.

The envoy countered that China’s criticisms of the Japanese leader’s comments were “inconsistent with the facts, unsubstantiated and categorically unacceptable.”

Yamazaki said Japan has consistently adhered to the UN Charter and other international law since the end of World War II and has actively contributed toward the sustainable development of the world.

He added that Japan will continue to respond calmly through dialogue.

The letter was in response to repeated demands by the Chinese ambassador to the UN to withdraw Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan.

Takaichi said in a parliamentary committee session in November that a Chinese military attack on Taiwan could constitute a survival-threatening situation for Japan.

Under Japan’s collective self-defense framework, such situation would allow it to mobilize the Self-Defense Forces.

The letter war at the United Nations began when the Chinese ambassador sent a letter to Guterres criticizing Takaichi’s remarks.

After Japan countered the assertions, China again claimed that the remarks suggested the use of force against China and demanded their retraction.