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Japanese politician calls for enhanced security ties

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, right, gives a present to Takeo Hiranuma, chairman of the Japan-ROC Dietmen's Council, in Tokyo yesterday. Wang arrived in Japan on Wednesday for a five-day visit. PHOTO: CNA

A member of the Japanese diet said yesterday that security engagement between Japan, Taiwan and the US was crucial in efforts to maintain regional security in East Asia.

Takeo Hiranuma, chairman of the Japan-ROC Dietmen's Council, said that North Korea's launch of seven missiles on Wednesday, including a long-range Taepodong-2, had shocked Japan but helped remind people that China has deployed 800 missiles against Taiwan.

Hiranuma made the comments during a luncheon he hosted in honor of visiting Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平).

Hiranuma said Japan and Taiwan should further bolster bilateral security ties since US-Japan-Taiwan collaboration was crucial to maintaining peace and security in East Asia.

Hiranuma, formerly a minister of international trade and industry, offered his congratulations on the imminent completion of Taiwan's high-speed railway, which partly uses Japan's Shinkansen system. He added that the Japan-ROC Dietmen's Council would organize a delegation to visit Taiwan when the railway formally opens.

Hiranuma also mentioned that Japan had explicitly supported Taiwan's accession into the World Health Assembly (WHA) -- the decision-making body of the WHO -- as an observer, although Taiwan's efforts to join it have been futile due to Beijing's obstruction.

For his part, Wang expressed gratitude to the Japan-ROC Dietmen's Council for its steady and long-term efforts to cement bilateral ties between Taiwan and Japan.

In particular, he mentioned the council's recent push to enable Tokyo to offer permanent visa-free privileges to short-term travelers from Taiwan, as well as Japan's explicit support of Taiwan in its WHA bid.

Wang urged the Japanese government to recognize international driver's licenses issued by Taiwan and to sign a free trade agreement with Taiwan as soon as possible.
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