Japan Denies Report That Trump Asked PM Not to Provoke China

The Japanese government has denied a report that US President Donald Trump advised Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to avoid provoking China over Taiwan. The report, which was published in a Japanese newspaper, claimed that Trump had made the request during a recent phone call between the two leaders. However, the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, has firmly rejected the claims, stating that the report is "not true." Matsuno emphasized that Japan and the US have a strong alliance and regularly communicate on a range of issues, including the situation in Taiwan. The denial comes amid ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, with Beijing claiming sovereignty over the self-governing island. The US has historically maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity" towards Taiwan, while also expressing support for the island's democratic government. The Japanese government's swift rejection of the reported request underscores the sensitive nature of the Taiwan issue and the importance of clear and transparent communication between allies on matters of regional security and stability.