President Chen Shui-bian received Katsuya Okada, a Japanese parliamentarian and former president of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), at the Office of the President on March 21, praising him for his long-time pursuit for democracy and contributions to the profound friendship between the two countries.
Other Japanese Parliamentarians Kenji Kitahashi, Shinichiro Furumoto, and Taizo Mikaduki also attended the meeting.
As "party rotation" is the political conviction truly believed by the president and Parliamentarian Okada, the president shared with the guests that " 'Party politics' and 'party rotation' are the other names for democracy," referring to the fact that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), then headed by the president, accomplished the first transfer of political power in the year 2000, the first time in Taiwan's history.
The president also congratulated Parliamentarian Okada on having successfully led the Democratic Party of Japan to win the parliamentary election in 2004.
The president extended his sincerest gratitude to the guests and their government for supporting Taiwan's bid to be an observer at the World Health Assembly and the inclusion of Taiwan issues into the common strategic objectives of the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee. Regarding the growing development in the two countries' tourism and trade, the president reassured the guests that "Taiwan and Japan are the best allies for each other in democracy, trade, and security."
To further strengthen mutual cooperation, the president hoped the guests would urge the Japanese government to recognize the international driver's license issued by the Taiwan government, pointing out that many Asian and European countries like Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, France, Germany and Belgium have fully done so.
The president also asked the guests to pass his warmest regards to another two former presidents of the DPJ, Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, and the current party president Seiji Maehara. In addition, the president at the very first moment congratulated the guests and Japan on winning the championship of the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
To conclude the meeting, the president emphasized to the guests again that the cross-strait peace and stability should be of the highest interests shared by Japan, the United States, and Taiwan. "Taiwan will steadfastly play the role of peacekeeper in the cross-strait region," the president said in a tone of determination.