President Chen Shui-bian on the afternoon of May 5 bestowed the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Japanese House of Representatives Member Tamazawa Tokuichiro. Presented to Parliamentarian Tamazawa on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), the honor represents the outstanding contributions and long-term efforts made in fostering substantive and friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan.
After the conclusion of the ceremony in which the honor was conferred, President Chen and Parliamentarian Tamazawa sat down and held discussions. President Chen noted that Parliamentarian Tamazawa has served in a number of Cabinet level posts in the Japanese government, including director of the Japan Defense Agency, and minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery. He has also served as the deputy head of the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council and the president of the East Asian Friendship Association. In all of his capacities, Parliamentarian Tamazawa has expressed a high degree of concern and exhibited strong support for Taiwan. President Chen said that relations today between Taiwan and Japan are the best they have been in over 30 years, and Parliamentarian Tamazawa has played an important role in making this possible.
President Chen furthermore pointed out the enormous contributions made by Parliamentarian Tamazawa in promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. He specifically noted that Parliamentarian Tamazawa played a role in the previous decision by Japan to grant visa-free courtesies to Taiwan tourists and the most recent agreement between the two countries providing mutual recognition of drivers' licenses. In addition, Parliamentarian Tamazawa helped smooth the way for Japan to export its Shinkansen technology to Taiwan, the first time that the technology had been exported. Taiwan's high speed railway formally commenced operations at the beginning of last year, not only becoming the pride of Taiwan, but also enabling Taiwan to become one of the only six countries in the world to operate a high speed rail system.
President Chen, in mentioning trade and economic issues, said that in the past few years the annual trade volume between the two nations has exceeded US$60 billion, with Japan enjoying a trade surplus with Taiwan of over US$30 billion. The president said he believes that there is still considerable room for further trade growth and cooperation in this regard based on the existing foundation. The World Health Assembly will be held on May 19, the president said, expressing his hope that the Japanese government will continue to support observer status for Taiwan in the organization.
President Chen noted that China President Hu Jintao will soon make a visit to Japan. He said he would welcome an improvement in relations between Japan and China, adding that warmer relations between Tokyo and Beijing would be in the mutual interest of Taiwan and Japan. Meanwhile, the leaders of China and Japan plan to sign the "Fourth Political Document" during the visit. President Chen said, however, that he hopes the document does not contain language detrimental to the people of Taiwan. President Chen reaffirmed that Taiwan is a sovereign nation and not a part of China.
In remarks expressing his gratitude for the honor, Parliamentarian Tamazawa said that President Chen has placed great importance on Taiwan-Japan relations during his eight years in office. He added that Lo Fu-chen and Koh Se-kai, Taiwan's representatives to Japan during this period, have made many contributions to improving exchanges between the two countries, enabling significant development in bilateral cooperation. He also noted that the aggregate number of tourist visits between the two countries has reached 2.5 million per year.
Parliamentarian Tamazawa also said that he is deeply sorry that his efforts have been insufficient to ensure that Taiwan will be able to perpetually remain free and independent. He mentioned that China has a poor record in terms of human rights, which has elicited public outrage throughout the world. How to push China toward democratic development has become a focal point of interest in the global community. He said that in the interest of peace and stability in East Asia, he is willing to work with other likeminded people around the globe to promote democratic development in China as soon as possible. Taiwan's freedom and independence will only be guaranteed by achieving this goal, he said.