Sunday’s Mainichi, Yomiuri, and Sankei reported that Foreign Minister Motegi released a statement on Taiwan President Tsai’s reelection as president on Saturday. “Taiwan is an important partner and a precious friend with whom we share basic values and maintain close economic relations and robust people-to-people exchanges,” said Motegi. “We plan to deepen our bilateral cooperation and exchanges further.” Yomiuri noted that the Abe administration is hoping to promote coordination with the Tsai administration to deter China’s maritime advancement. While saying Tokyo welcomes Tsai’s victory because of her pro-U.S. and pro-Japanese line, Mainichi noted that Japan is also afraid that a possible rise in tensions between Taipei and Beijing as a result of her hard line toward China may undermine stability in East Asia. 

In follow-up articles, all national dailies reported on Monday that China voiced strong displeasure on Sunday over the messages issued by Japan, the U.S. and the UK welcoming Tsai’s reelection.