Vice President Annette Lu welcomed Japanese congressman Makino Seishu and his delegation this morning, inviting them to return in mid-August to partake in the Democratic Pacific Union inauguration in Taipei.
The vice president said that congressman Seishu was invited to attend the second Democratic Pacific Assembly last year and hopes he can come back in two weeks to participate in the inauguration. Lu highlighted Taiwan and Japan's recent efforts in establishing stronger relations, expressing hope that the visa-free privilege now accorded to Taiwan visitors in Japan can be further extended. In addition, she wished success to the ongoing Aichi Exposition and conveyed her admiration of the eco-friendly theme, praising the message as what should be mankind's preferred life-style of the 21st century.
Influence on fashion and energy conservation methods reflect the fruits of increasing exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. For instance, on Father's Day, August 8th, the vice president's "Taiwan shirt action alliance" will launch a campaign, called "Father's new shirt," aimed at completely liberating Taiwanese men from their suits in order to encourage energy-saving measures; an idea the vice president developed three years prior to Japanese Prime Minster Koizumi's own sponsored initiative in Japan. The vice president is pleased with Premier Frank Hsieh's favorable response to the proposal and is optimistic that similar actions like setting the indoor air-conditioning at 26 degrees will help Taiwan become more environmentally conscious. And although Taiwan is not a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, the vice president reiterated the Office of the President's position to aggressively promote environmentally friendly policies.
In regards to the tensions caused by the recent fishing disputes between Taiwanese and Japanese fishermen, the vice president hopes that mutual understanding and acceptance of the "symbiosis sovereignty" concept of sharing can improve ties. According to Lu, by appreciating that there is only one earth, everyone can adhere to the concept of sharing and loving all things on earth and in the ocean to ease competition and tension. Promoting this model of "soft power," the vice president anticipates that her message will be communicated to Japan. She added that the Taiwanese are peace loving and friendly people and do not expect the fishermen to add to an already trying situation.
The vice president cited a group of aboriginal people visiting the Miyako Island of Ryukyu Islands two months ago to illustrate her point. More than a century ago, a group of shipwrecked Japanese fishermen from Miyako Island landed on the Mutan Village, southeastern coast of Taiwan, in an attempt to find refuge there. Since the aboriginal people had never encountered such a phenomenon before, they thought they were being attacked, and therefore, killed all the Japanese fishermen. This incident caused the Japanese authorities to send their troops to Taiwan and seize the island.
The death of the shipwrecked Japanese fishermen more than a century ago and the friction caused by the fishing disputes today are two cases of tragedy caused by misunderstanding. After several generations of hatred, the inhabitants of Mutan Village traveled to Miyako Island to explain how it happened, hoping that the hatred could be resolved. This touching story serves as an example of how to approach the conflict we are experiencing today.
As a model for the rest of Asia, the vice president commented on Japan's keen pursuit of modernization and development.
As both Taiwan and Japan face a similar threat in China, the vice president strongly believes that the best protection against such a threat is to strengthen the bond between the two countries.
Besides cordially welcoming Congressman Makino Seishu, the vice president again invited him to the Democratic Pacific Union's inauguration ceremony in mid-August.
Regarding the issue of providing Taiwanese tourists visa-free privileges, Seishu replied that as the Taiwan-Japan relationship grows ever more important, he and his congressional colleagues would do all that they can to make it a reality. Seishu said he feels honored to have been received by the vice president and that he will be present at the inauguration of the Democratic Pacific Union if he can make it. He also admired the vice president for establishing the Democratic Pacific Union, adding that he hopes the advent of peace in Asia, and eventually the entire world, can come in the near future.