Japanese cross-party members of Congress visit Taiwan: Promoting institutionalized Taiwan-Japan relations

Senior media person Akio Yaita pointed out that seven Japanese cross-party congressmen came to Taiwan for a visit yesterday. He said that these congressmen are from four different political parties, but they all believe that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are directly related to Japan's security. Senator Haruo Kitamura also proposed to promote the "Japanese version of the Taiwan Relations Act" and the "Japanese version of the Taiwan Travel Act." Akio Yaita emphasized that although Taiwan and Japan were friendly in the past, with China's increasing military pressure on Taiwan, "good feelings" are no longer enough. More and more Japanese politicians have directly linked the security of the Taiwan Strait to Japan's security, and Taiwan and Japan are also moving step by step towards "institutional partners."

Akio Yaita pointed out in a Facebook post that Japanese Senator Haruo Kitamura led seven cross-party members of Congress to visit Taiwan yesterday. This delegation is very interesting. The seven members come from different political parties such as the Japanese Conservative Party, the Japan Reform Association, the National Democratic Party, and the Senate Party. They have one thing in common: they all believe that "peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are directly related to Japan's security."

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Akio Yaita said that Senator Haruo Kitamura made it very clear after arriving yesterday: peace in the Taiwan Strait is "vital to Japan's survival" and Japan should do whatever it can. He also made a more noteworthy proposition - after returning to Japan, he should promote the "Japanese version of the Taiwan Relations Act" and the "Japanese version of the Taiwan Travel Act."

Akio Yaita bluntly said that this is what is really important about this visit. In the past, when we talked about Taiwan-Japan friendship, we often talked about feelings. When something happens in Taiwan, the Japanese care about it; when there is an earthquake in Japan, the Taiwanese donate money. This kind of folk sentiment is very precious and rare in the world. However, in the face of China's increasing military pressure on Taiwan, "good feelings" are no longer enough.

Yaita Akio pointed out that in June this year, Kitamura Haruo, Ishihira, Yamada Yoshihiko, Nishida Kaoru and other Diet members established the "Meeting of Diet Members Thinking about Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait." The seven congressmen who came to Taiwan today span four political parties. This is very important.

Yaita Akio explained that if supporting Taiwan is just the policy of a certain political party, the policy may change once the regime changes. But if a cross-party consensus gradually forms, it may become Japan's long-term national policy.

Akio Yaita stressed that, of course, the "Japanese version of the Taiwan Relations Act" is still a long way from being truly enacted. There will be resistance in Japan, and China will definitely oppose it strongly. But many major political changes were initially proposed by a few people.

Akio Yaita mentioned that 10 years ago, the Japanese political arena openly discussed "whatever happens in Taiwan means something happens in Japan", and it was very sensitive. Today, more and more Japanese politicians have directly linked the security of the Taiwan Strait to Japan's security. Now, let's go one step further and start discussing, "Can Taiwan-Japan relations be fixed by law?" This is a very noteworthy change.

Akio Yaita said that therefore, when seven Japanese members of parliament, including Haruo Kitamura, set foot on Taiwan, it was seen as more than just a friendly visit. The Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank will also hold the "Taiwan-Japan Diplomacy and Defense Forum" at the Grand Hotel in Taipei today. Haruo Kitamura and other Japanese members of Congress will have direct dialogue with people from Taiwan's diplomatic and defense circles.

Akio Yaita bluntly stated at the end of the article that Taiwan-Japan relations are moving step by step from "emotional friends" to "institutional partners."