The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday said speculation about a visit by former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was a rumor started by the media and that no plans had been confirmed.
The ministry’s comments, however, marked an about face from previous comments to the effect that Abe had accepted the government’s invitation to visit.
‘RUMORS’
Speaking at a press conference, deputy secretary-general of the Association of East Asian Relations Nien Shin-shyh (粘信士) said that he had no information or knowledge of Abe’s proposed itinerary and that any reports about a visit were merely “rumors” started by the media.
However, the possibility of Abe visiting was confirmed at least twice by the ministry last year at news briefings
In answer to a question posed on Jan. 6 last year by the Taipei Times about upcoming visits by senior Japanese politicians, MOFA’s archives show former East Asian Relations secretary-general Peter Tsai (蔡明曜) said Abe had accepted Taiwan’s invitation to visit at the end of 2008, but because of the political climate in Japan the trip fell through. He added that he believed Abe would be able to travel to Taiwan by June.
At another press conference on June 9, Tsai told the Taipei Times that Abe had publicly expressed interest in visiting Taiwan after the Japanese Diet election. Tsai also said Taiwan welcomed Abe’s visit.
NO-SHOW
Tsai went on to say Japanese elections were very complex and that once the Japanese Cabinet was fully in place after Aug. 25, Abe would be free to visit, but that the date had not been finalized.
Last year was dubbed the “special partnership year” with Japan by MOFA. When asked about ministry plans to improve Taiwan-Japan ties this year, Nien said details would be revealed at an appropriate time.
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