By John Geddie, Tim Kelly and Mariko Katsumura TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked a diplomatic spat with China over remarks last week that a hypothetical Chinese attack on

Less than a month into her term, Japan's conservative leader has stirred tensions with China by suggesting a Chinese move against Taiwan could prompt a Japanese military response.

Her recent comments do not represent a new commitment for Japan to defend Taiwan – or a departure from previous policy.

Japan moves closer to openly linking Taiwan’s security to its own as China responds with thinly veiled threats

TOKYO -- China tensions triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comment on a potential crisis in Taiwan remain high, but two related issues -- Japan acting alongside U.S. forces and its exercise of collective self-defense rights in defending the island -- need to be considered separately, former officials say.

Relations between the two neighbours have soured recently after Takaichi became the first sitting Japanese leader in decades to publicly link a Taiwan Strait crisis with the possible deployment of Japanese troops.

The Japanese public is divided over exercising collective self-defense against a Chinese attack on Taiwan. A recent poll shows mixed opinions, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to boost defense spending.