The newly elected leader of Japan’s ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, Shigeru Ishiba, reiterated his support for Taiwan on the 14th. Yukio Edano, the chief advisor of the Constitutional Democratic Party and former Japanese Foreign Minister, pointed out that Taiwan is an important partner that shares basic values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. He emphasized that Japan’s support for Taiwan and the prevention of crisis situations are not partisan issues.
In an interview with the Central News Agency during his visit to Taiwan, Yukio Edano mentioned in his keynote speech at the “Quad Forum: 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue” that he referred to the peacefulness of the Taiwan Strait as the “most sensitive issue.” He further pointed out in the interview that after the meeting between US President Joe Biden and then Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in 2021, the Japan-US joint statement was issued, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and promoting the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.
Yukio Edano believed that for the first time since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, the inclusion of this expression in the statement is a “landmark move.” The G7 joint statement in the same year also mentioned the same content. Japan continues to relay the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to the international community. Being a neighbor of Taiwan, conveying this message with sincerity is crucial.
He emphasized that regarding the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the broader East Asian situation, Japan should actively make the United States, and even the international community, understand the current situation in order to establish a deterrent force.
The two major parties in Japan will hold a leadership election in September. When asked about support for Taiwan, Yukio Edano emphasized that “there is no difference between the ruling party and the opposition party.” Taiwan is an important partner that shares basic values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Avoiding crisis situations is also a consensus, with no party differences in Japan, leading to a bipartisan group of lawmakers visiting Taiwan.
Japanese lawmaker Nobuaki Ohno expressed last year in Taiwan his hope to establish a “Japan-Taiwan Relations Act” as the foundation of bilateral relations. Shigeru Ishiba, the popular candidate for the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, stated in Taiwan on August 14 that legislation is not necessary between Japan and Taiwan.
In response, Yukio Edano pointed out that the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association have signed more than 60 agreements, serving as a solid foundation for close cooperation in areas such as economics, environment, and culture. He acknowledged that there are differing opinions on the framework of Taiwan-Japan relations but emphasized the importance of practical operations.
Former Representative to Japan from the Republic of China Presidential Office, Jason C. T. She, stepped down from his position after eight years. Yukio Edano expressed gratitude to Jason C. T. She for his contribution to Taiwan-Japan relations. He mentioned that the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Parliamentarians’ League within the Liberal Democratic Party also held a farewell party in the parliament, believing that the next representative to Japan will maintain the same beliefs and hopes for a friendly relationship between Japan and Taiwan.
(Central News Agency)