Former Japanese Prime Minister Aso Taro has said in a speech in Taiwan that "a readiness to fight" serves as a deterrence in the region.

Aso, who is vice president of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was speaking at an international forum in Taipei on Tuesday.

Referring to China's growing military pressure on Taiwan, he said peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are very important for the stability of Japan and the international community. He said countries around the world are starting to recognize this.

Aso said there has never been another time in history when a readiness to activate an extremely powerful deterrence has been demanded of Japan, Taiwan, the United States and relevant countries.

He said clear communication by those countries of their intention to use their defense capabilities to defend Taiwan would serve as a deterrence in an emergency.

The LDP heavyweight concluded by calling for solidarity. He said he sincerely hopes that the successor to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will be committed to safeguarding the status quo to maintain the livelihood, happiness and prosperity of Taiwan's people. He said, "I hope that we can fight together with the successor, with whom we will share the same values."