Chiou I-jen urges Japan to take on a greater role as a regional leader

A senior Taiwan official urged Japan yesterday to take a greater role as a leader in Asia, particularly to bring stability to the region.

Japan's strong ties with China could position it to play a role in fostering improved relations across the Taiwan Strait, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) said at a luncheon.

Japan had a special part to play in improving relations between Taiwan and China, said Chiou, who is in Japan to attend a seminar.

"We hope that both sides can solve these difficulties and disputes through their own influence, but in the end it is so difficult," he said.

"So I think we need lots of help and effort from the international community, either through the United States or through Japan."

Noting that the US performs a role in easing tensions between Taiwan and China by its separate communications with both sides, Chiou said Japan was suited for a similar job.

"If Japan wants, it can ... help to ease tension between both sides, to maintain the stability of this region," he said.

"Not only is Japan geographically easier for Taiwan and China to communicate with each other, I think the culture is more similar than that of the US."

"Japan has the kind of potential to become a new leader in this region," Chiou added.

How much of an impact Japan could have, however, remains doubtful given its noted reluctance to take a strong stance on diplomatic issues, particularly ones that could anger China.

In addition, its often prickly relations with Beijing are currently under pressure from troubles on many fronts.

Chiou voiced optimism and saw room for concrete action.

"I think Japan can try to arrange certain kinds of meetings, try to open up more channels to contact China and Taiwan and the rest of the countries of this region," he said.

Japan in April allowed former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) to visit for medical treatment, a move that drew a strong protest from Beijing.

But Chiou said Japan could play an important role.

"I think Japan has a special potential to become a big country in this region -- not only in an economic sense, but also in a political sense," he said.

Chiou said the question of eventual unification was clearly a thorn in relations between China and Taiwan and a factor hindering talks between the two over various issues.

Asked about unification, he said the Hong Kong model was unacceptable to Taiwan.