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Japanese representative set to start work

By Jenny W. Hsu
STAFF REPORTER
Friday, Jul 11, 2008, Page 3

The new Japanese representative to Taiwan will formally take up his post on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday.

Saito Masaki has served in the Japanese embassy in China, as well as ambassador to Cambodia and New Zealand. The 64-year-old career diplomat is also well-versed in southeast Asian affairs, said Peter Tsai (蔡明耀), head of the ministry’s Committee of Japanese Affairs.

Tsai said Saito was scheduled to meet with several high-ranking officials, including President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Vice President Vincent Siew (蕭萬長), and Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄).

The ministry, however, remained tight-lipped about the appointment of the nation’s new representative to Japan.

Outgoing representative Koh Sei-kai (�?�) resigned in protest last month when pan-blue lawmakers accused him of being a “traitor” and “siding with the Japanese” after a Japanese coastguard patrol boat sank a Taiwanese fishing boat early last month in disputed waters around the Diaoyutai islands, over which Taiwan, Japan and China all claim sovereignty.

The vacancy left by Koh will be temporarily filled by Deputy Representative Lo Kun-tsan (羅坤燦), the ministry said.

Taiwan-Japan relations have been the subject of heated debate since Ma took office in May, as many Japanese academics feared relations would deteriorate under Ma because of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) historical anti-Japanese leanings.

The fear was further intensified when Ma failed to mention Japan in his inauguration speech.

The issue over the fishing boat was resolved when the Japanese agreed to compensate the Taiwanese captain for his loss and the Japanese coastguard apologized for the mishap.

Ministry Spokesman Henry Chen (陳銘政) said the Fisheries Agency would meet with Ho Hung-yi (何鴻義), the captain of the Taiwanese fishing boat, to discuss the compensation process.

Tsai said the Japanese have said that they are willing to compensate Ho for his loss, which means only the details are left to be discussed.

Additional reporting by CNA
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