TOKYO, Nov. 10 -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has stood by her recent remarks suggesting Japan could become involved in a Taiwan contingency, even as Beijing's anger over her comments escalated into a diplomatic row, The Japan Times reported.

Speaking before the Lower House Budget Committee yesterday, Takaichi said she had "no intention" of changing the government's official position but admitted her earlier remarks had gone further than intended.

"I gave a somewhat concrete answer while considering the worst-case scenario," she said.

"From now on, I'll refrain from making explicit statements on specific scenarios."

Her comments last Friday - in which she said a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could "by any measure, consti...