A visiting delegation from the Japanese cross-party group "Meeting of Members of Parliament Thinking about Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait" arrived at Taipei Songshan Airport on Japan Airlines flight JL097 this morning (8th) to begin a three-day visit to Taiwan. During an interview at the airport, Haruo Kitamura, a Japanese conservative senator and leader of the delegation, stressed that Taiwan is Japan's most important friend. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are not only important to Taiwan, but also "critical to Japan's survival" and "absolutely must be maintained." Japan will promote relevant work with the determination to "do whatever it can."
The seven members of the visiting delegation span four political parties. In addition to the leader Haruo Kitamura, Japan Reform Association representatives Nishida Kaoru, Yokota Mitsuhiro, Miki Kei and the association's affairs director and Senator Ishidaira, the National Democratic Party Senator Yamada Yoshihiko, and the participating political party Senator Umemura Mizuho. Those from Taiwan who were present to pick up the plane included Chen Junhan, chairman of the Taiwan Council, Wang Xinghuan, chairman of the Taiwan Foundation Progressive Party, and others. Singer-songwriter Chung Chi presented flowers to the delegation on behalf of the delegation.
Kitamura Haruo said that he was really happy to come to Taiwan. "We believe that Taiwan is Japan's most important friend." He pointed out that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are "critical to the survival" not only of Taiwan but also of Japan. They are extremely important and must be maintained. "For this reason, we are determined to do whatever we can, and we are here to convey this to you." The word "existing" he used echoes the concept of "existing crisis situation" in Japan's security legal system. This concept is one of the legal thresholds for Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense.
Kitamura specifically pointed out two legislative goals and pointed out that the United States currently has two laws, namely the "Taiwan Relations Act" and the "Taiwan Travel Act." He emphasized that "the Japanese version of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Japanese version of the Taiwan Travel Act must be completed in Japan no matter what." Through such actions, Japan can join hands with the United States to continue to convey to the world the close connection between Japan, Taiwan, and the people of Taiwan. "I think this is the most important thing. Only in this way is the most critical action to protect peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."
Kitamura finally said that through such actions, "If a country attempts to destroy this peace and stability, we must make that country stop thinking. I think this is our mission."
The committee was established in the Japanese Diet on June 15 this year. It is composed of cross-party members who share a common sense of crisis for Taiwan Strait security. The representatives are Kitamura Haruo, Nishida Kaoru and Yamada Yoshihiko. The secretary is Ishihira. When it was established, it was stated that the results of the research would be linked to the members' legislation. Kitamura Haruo has publicly advocated in the past that Japan's establishment of diplomatic relations with China in 1972 and the simultaneous severance of diplomatic relations with our country were a major diplomatic mistake by Japan. Japan should face up to Taiwan's sovereign status and promote the restoration of diplomatic relations, and study and formulate a "Japanese version of the Taiwan Relations Act" to establish a more solid institutional foundation for Taiwan-Japan economic and trade, security, defense and personnel exchanges.
This is the first time the association has sent a delegation to Taiwan since its establishment. The visiting delegation will attend the "Taiwan-Japan Diplomacy and Defense Forum" hosted by the Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank at 2 pm tomorrow (9th). Kitamura Haruo will exchange views with Foreign Minister Lin Jialong on issues such as Taiwan Strait security, Taiwan-Japan diplomacy and defense cooperation, gray zone threats and democratic partnership cooperation, and attend a dinner in the evening.
