President Chen Shui-bian on the morning of February 25 met with The Okazaki Institute Director Hisahiko Okazaki. Mr. Okazaki was invited to Taiwan by the International Cultural Foundation, Inc, R.O.C. to take part in and deliver an address at the Outlook on 2008 Taiwan's International Relations Seminar. The president expressed his admiration and appreciation to Director Okazaki, noting that his speech received significant attention from the media here.
President Chen said on Sunday afternoon, Taiwan's two presidential candidates held a debate that was aired on television. He said, however, that the Taiwan public is extremely fascinated by and attracted to Director Okazaki. He noted that over 500 people decided to leave their homes where they could watch the debate to listen to a lecture delivered by Director Okazaki.
President Chen recalled that he was elected Taipei City Mayor in 1994 and the following year the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper invited him to visit Osaka, Japan to attend a roundtable conference on economic issues. Also attending the conference was Director Okazaki. President Chen said that Director Okazaki made a deep impression on him at the time and he always sought opportunities to listen to his opinions and suggestions.
President Chen said there are times when it is impossible for people to be entirely accurate in judging and commenting on various trends. Nonetheless, the comments of observers are still highly valuable. The president said he remembers a book published by the Yomiuri Shimbun in which there was a chapter where he was mentioned. The opinion expressed in the text was that after winning the mayoral election in 1994, he would likely be re-elected to another term in 1998. According to the observations of the authors, he would not compete for the presidency until 2004. This meant that at the earliest he would not become president until 2004. Ultimately, however, the timeline of events played out slightly differently. He lost his bid to be re-elected as the mayor of Taipei in 1998, and then unexpectedly won the presidential election in 2000. Therefore, President Chen won the office four years earlier than predicted by the Yomiuri Shimbun.
President Chen lauded Director Okazaki as being one of Japan's most senior and experienced diplomats. As such, he hopes to hear the opinions of the director regarding various international trends and developments impacting Taiwan in 2008, Taiwan's diplomatic predicament, and developments and changes in cross-strait relationship. The president said he particularly is interested in Director Okazaki's thoughts on how Taiwan should strengthen its participation in the international community after a new president here takes office.
Director Okazaki said he is delighted to have the opportunity to visit Taiwan again and appreciates the chance to meet with President Chen. He noted that over the past 10 years, he has on average made a trip to Taiwan each year to meet with the president. Director Okazaki also praised President Chen for his efforts in pushing forward and deepening democracy on Taiwan, as well as his outstanding achievements in establishing a Taiwan consiousness. He said he hopes the Japanese private sector is able to provide assistance to and promote Taiwan's interests.
Director Okazaki and International Cultural Foundation Chairwoman Yang Liou Siou-hua were accompanied to the Presidential Office to meet President Chen by Huang Ju-hou, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Committee on Japanese Affairs, and Interchange Association (Japan) Chief Representative Tadashi Ikeda. Also in attendance was Deputy Secretary-General to the President Lin Chia-lung.