President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of March 24 with Vice-Speaker of Japan's House of Representatives Seishiro Eto and Representative Masayoshi Yoshino. The president expressed his appreciation to the guests for fulfilling their pledge to come to Taiwan on the one-year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake to plant trees here in commemoration. The president stated that this is a perfect example of the deep friendship between the two countries.
In remarks, President Ma stated that on May 5 of last year Vice-Speaker Eto made a special visit to Taiwan to express gratitude for Taiwan's assistance in coming to Japan's aid after the earthquake and tsunami. This marked the first time that a current vice-speaker from the legislative body had visited Taiwan since diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed in 1972. Vice-Speaker Eto had also publicly stated that he intended to visit Taiwan again upon the one-year anniversary of the disaster to plant trees here to commemorate the friendship between the two countries. He has now fulfilled his pledge with this visit, which also serves to mark the 101st year of the Republic of China. President Ma mentioned that Vice-Speaker Eto would be presenting, on behalf of Japan, a gift of 101 cherry trees and 101 plum trees at a tree planting ceremony to be held in the afternoon at Taichung Park in central Taiwan. In addition, the president said, the delegation being led by Vice-Speaker Eto happens to constitute the 101st group of Japanese with whom he has met since he took office in May 2008. This series of coincidences symbolizes the everlasting friendship between the governments and peoples of Taiwan and Japan.
President Ma told the visitors that the Taipei Office of the Japan Interchange Association, in order to thank the people of Taiwan for their assistance after last year's disaster, held a reception on the evening of March 12 to remember the victims of the earthquake and to thank Taiwan for the assistance it has provided. The president mentioned that he and Vice President-elect Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) were invited to attend the event, and during the proceedings Japan Interchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Tadashi Imai forwarded a message by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda entitled "Determination to Rebuild" to thank the people of Taiwan for their assistance. The president added that he had also announced at the March 12 event that Taiwan had decided to immediately lift its travel alert for Fukushima Prefecture, except for the areas within a 30-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, to aid in the development of the seriously impacted tourism industry in Fukushima Prefecture. This constitutes quite an important step in interaction between the two nations, he said, adding that the announcement was warmly welcomed.
In discussing the development of Taiwan-Japan relations, the president stated that many concrete achievements have been seen in part due to the full assistance by friends of Taiwan, such as Vice-Speaker Eto. The president pointed out, for instance, that the Japanese parliament (the Diet) last year passed the Law Concerning Promotion of Exhibitions of Art Objects from Overseas. This law prevents the impounding of art from other nations that is on public display, and will help make it possible for Taiwan's National Palace Museum to hold an exhibit of selected items from its collection in two years. In addition, last year the two sides signed the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Initiative, the Taiwan-Japan Bilateral Investment Arrangement, and most recently an open skies agreement. In terms of economic ties, Japan's investments in Taiwan last year grew 11.18% from the previous year. Meanwhile, Japanese made a total of 1.29 million visits to Taiwan last year, which was the first time that the number of Japanese visitors to Taiwan outpaced the number of Taiwanese travelling to Japan. President Ma stated that he is confident that the lifting of the travel ban to Fukushima Prefecture will help boost the number of Taiwanese visiting Japan.
President Ma also briefed Vice-Speaker Eto on the background and expertise of new Chairman of the Association of East Asian Relations Liao Liou-yi (廖了以) and outgoing Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Shen Ssu-tsun (沈斯淳) (who will become Taiwan's new representative to Japan). The president explained that Chairman Liao has had deep connections over the decades with Japan and has served in many important posts in the ruling Kuomintang Party. Meanwhile, Vice Minister Shen is a senior diplomat who is extremely familiar with Japanese and international affairs. The president said he believes that the appointment of these two individuals will assist in forging even closer friendship between the ROC and Japan.
The president also mentioned that the ROC government last May inaugurated the Yoichi Hatta Memorial Park at the Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan City in southern Taiwan, to commemorate the contributions of Mr. Hatta (1886-1942, Japanese engineer) to the development of irrigation infrastructure here. On May 8 of this year, a memorial activity will be held, he said, adding that he hopes that Vice-Speaker Eto will again visit Taiwan to take part in this festive activity.
Vice-Speaker Eto and Mrs. Eto, along with a delegation of about 20, visited the Presidential Office in the morning to meet with President Ma. Association of East Asian Relations Chairman Liao, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Shen, and National Security Council Advisor Lee Chia-chin (李嘉進) also were present for the meeting.