National Security Council Secre-tary-General Chiou I-jen (
Chiou also said he feels positive about Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to North Korea Tuesday.
Chiou said that Koizumi's visit was significant, pointing out that the prime minister's visit will help open the door to Pyongyang and contribute to stability in Northeast Asia.
He said that Japan has the potential to become a political force in the region and that it has begun to move in that direction.
In the post-Cold War period, Chiou said, Japan has not only developed its economy, but democracy and human rights have also become mainstream values in the country.
He said that, as long as Japan makes use of its potential, China will not be the sole power in East Asia, adding that democracy and human rights will contribute even more to the region's stability and development.
Pointing out that, if Japan is willing to play a leading role in South Asia, Chiou said this will not only help the region's stabili-ty, it will also be beneficial to Taiwan.
He also said that the Taiwan government has adopted a flexible attitude regarding the signing of a free-trade agreement with Japan and other neighboring countries.
Pointing out that consultations with Japan on a free-trade agreement are based on reality and on the two countries' mutual needs, Chiou said that if Beijing tries to block such a deal, this will run counter to the global trend.
He also noted that since the administration of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was inaugurated, relations between Taiwan and Japan have become closer, but he added that there are still restrictions on the exchange of visits between officials of the two countries.
* Chiou I-jen said that Koizumi's visit to North Korea was significant because it will help open the door to Pyongyang and contribute to stability in Northeast Asia.
* He said that Japan has the potential to become a political force in the region and that it has begun to move in that direction.
* This will also be beneficial to Taiwan, he said.
Noting that visits by Taiwan officials to the US have become frequent, Chiou said that Taiwan and Japan should also work on moving in that direction.
Chiou arrived in Japan on Tuesday to attend an international seminar on the future and prosperity of East Asia, sponsored by the major Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun.
During his visit, he has also called on Japanese lawmakers and leaders of think tanks to exchange views on Taiwan-Japan relations, East Asia and the international situation.
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