Ties between Taiwan and Japan would not be affected by Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi’s pledge to foster a closer Japan-China relationship, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association said yesterday.
Kanasugi told a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday that his task is to create an environment for “advancing stalled dialogue and consultations,” showing his “eagerness to improve the relationship,” the Asahi Shimbun reported on Wednesday.
Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Deputy Secretary-General Fan Chen-kuo (范振國) said that Kanasugi, who has just taken over the role in China, is an experienced diplomat who is familiar with Taiwan and China, and is known for being firm and prudent.
Photo courtesy of the Tainan City Government via CNA
Kanasugi’s statement was “not surprising,” as it is in line with Japan’s long-term policies toward China — pursuing cooperation rather than provoking confrontation to manage risks, Fan said.
The friendly ties between the governments and people of Taiwan and Japan would not be affected by the new appointment, he said.
As for Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, of which Japan is a member, “Japan remains supportive as always,” he said.
Asked whether recent change in the Japanese Cabinet after four senior officials of the faction formerly headed by late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe exited amid fraud allegations would affect Taiwan-Japan relations, Fan said that there would not be a significant impact.
Ties between Taiwan and Japan have a solid foundation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained deep and balanced relationships with all Japanese parties and their factions, he said.
In other developments, the association invited young politicians from Japan to meet their counterparts in Taiwan to help build sustainable relationships.
Twenty-five participants, including young assistants to Japanese Diet members, staff of major Japanese parties and local legislators, are in Taiwan for a workshop from Monday to today, Fan said yesterday.
The workshop, which was launched in 2010, resumed after a three-year hiatus to continue cultivating friendly ties between Taiwan and Japan by informing young Japanese politicians about the latest developments in Taiwan, he said.
In addition to visiting the ministry, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Mainland Affairs Council, the participants also exchanged opinions with major parties in Taiwan, he said.
The workshop allowed them to learn about Taiwan’s political ecology and campaign events leading up to the presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13, he said.
Trips to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Museum of Innovation at Hsinchu Science Park, the Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Taipei and the Hongshulin (紅樹林) ecological area in New Taipei City provided them with opportunities to experience Taiwan’s science and technology development, as well as the nation’s culture and nature, he added.
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