Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported detecting eight sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven People's Liberation Navy (PLAN) vessels near its territorial waters by 6 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Two of these aircraft crossed the median line, entering Taiwan's southwestern and eastern Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ). The MND said on X, "8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." On Monday, Taiwan's MND detected three PLA aircraft sorties, eight PLAN vessels, and one official ship near its territory. All three aircraft crossed the median line into Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. The MND stated, "3 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 3 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." Meanwhile, tensions rose after Japan's Prime Minister hopeful Sanae Takaichi made comments about Japan's potential role in a Taiwan emergency. Kyodo News reported that her hardline stance on China is causing concern due to a lack of moderating voices around her. Senior moderates in her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its centrist coalition partner have distanced themselves from her. An opposition lawmaker warned, "Takaichi's decision to form a coalition with a conservative party ahead of becoming Japan's first female prime minister on October 21 has left few remaining checks on her hardline course." Takaichi is seen as a political heir to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in 2022. However, the lawmaker noted Abe was "more skilled" in building consensus through dialogue. Also, less than a week after Takaichi won the LDP's presidential election on October 4, the Komeito party ended its 26-year alliance with the LDP over frustrations with political funds scandals, as reported by Kyodo News.