President Ma Ying-jeou met with a delegation from the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council that came to Taiwan for the Double Tenth National Day. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, extended a warm welcome to Mr. Takeo Hiranuma, Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, and other members of the delegation from Japan's National Diet and the Japan-Taiwan Friendship League.
The president remarked that relations between the two countries have advanced considerably over the past two years. Last year was "The Year to Foster the Special Partnership between Taiwan and Japan," and the two sides signed a working holiday agreement in June 2009 that enables youth between the ages of 18 and 30 from each nation to visit the other on working holidays. In early December of last year, Taiwan established a representative office in Sapporo, Hokkaido, while on October 31 of this year direct flights will commence between Taipei's Songshan Airport and Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Japan's Interchange Association, he said, has also established the Center for Modern Japan Studies at National Chengchi University in order to enhance understanding of Japan among institutions of higher education here.
President Ma noted that Taiwan and Japan are presently making preparations for items from Taiwan's National Palace Museum to be exhibited in Japan. However, Japan's legislature is still working on legislation that would protect the artwork and ensure the safety of the treasures while overseas. Meanwhile, the president commented that Taiwan's representative office in Tokyo has established a cultural center and hopes in the future to invite renowned Japanese museums to exhibit articles from Japan in Taiwan. President Ma mentioned that a Yoichi Hatta memorial park is slated to open in Tainan County on May 8 of next year, which will be the 69th anniversary of his death. The founding of this park is an important symbol of friendship between the two countries, he said.
President Ma remarked that the ROC supports the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States, adding that there has been no change in our stance that the treaty serves as a basis for stability in East Asia. The president commented that the improvement in relations between Taiwan and mainland China is aimed at reducing tension between the two sides and putting cross-strait trade and economic relations on a systematic footing. The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed between Taiwan and mainland China will in fact create business opportunities for Japan, he said. In addition, the president pointed to research from a Japanese think tank showing that when Japanese firms join forces with a Taiwan partner, they have a greater chance for success in mainland China than when they go it alone. He said he hopes Japan will take advantage of the current situation to expand its economic and trade relations with both Taiwan and mainland China.
President Ma expressed his hope that after returning home the guests will explain to the Japanese government and people the current state of friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan. The ROC and Japan should further build on their already strong relationship, he said.
The delegation led by House Member Hiranuma was escorted to the Presidential Office in the afternoon by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Shen Ssu-tsun and Japan Interchange Association Chief Representative Tadashi Imai to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Advisor Lee Chia-chin.