President Chen Shui-bian on the afternoon of April 15 conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon on the former president of Japan's House of Councilors Chikage Oogi on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan). The honor is in recognition of her long-term efforts and contributions to promoting substantive and friendly relations between the two countries.
President Chen and Ms. Oogi held talks after the formal ceremony bestowing the honor. The president said that former House of Councilors President Oogi has made enormous contributions to fostering substantive cooperation between the two countries. Throughout her political career, she has also served in a number of important positions in the Cabinet, such as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Minister of Construction, and Minister of Transportation. When she served as the head of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, she was involved in amending the aviation treaty between Taiwan and Japan, enabling an increase in scheduled and chartered flights between the two countries. Ms. Oogi also played a role in assisting Japan's Shinkansen high-speed rail technology to be exported to Taiwan for use in the construction of a high-speed rail system on Taiwan. President Chen said that without the assistance provided by Ms Oogi, it would have been impossible to have completed the Taiwan high-speed rail, which has already carried over 20 million passengers and has won outstanding word of mouth.
President Chen also said that former President of the House of Councilors Oogi played an important role in amending the aviation treaty between the two countries during her term as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The newest version of the treaty has helped to increase the volume of tourists traveling between the two countries. In addition, the Japanese government previously decided to grant Taiwan tourists visa-free courtesies. Most recently, the two nations have mutually recognized the drivers' licenses issued by the other. These measures are further helping to bolster tourism between Taiwan and Japan, he said. In 2007 alone, statistics indicated that over 2.5 million visits were made by tourists among the two countries.
In terms of trade and economic cooperation, President Chen said that while Taiwan is small, the two countries maintain a high level of trade. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded US$60 billion, with Japan enjoying a trade surplus with Taiwan in excess of US$30 billion. Taiwan is Japan's fourth largest trading partner. President Chen said he hopes that the two countries can further increase exchanges and cooperation based on the existing foundation.
President Chen also said that based on the mutual interests of the two countries and the flight safety for people of Taiwan and Japan, he hopes that the Japanese government will consider signing an aviation safety cooperation memorandum with Taiwan. The president said that Taiwan has already inked such memoranda with England, France, Canada and Australia. He urged the Japanese government to also consider signing such an agreement, which would benefit both countries. President Chen said he hopes that former President of the House of Councilors Oogi will use her influence to enable the early realization of such an agreement.