The Tokyo-based East Asian Research Institute on Friday last week held a forum in Taipei aimed at carrying the pro-Taiwan torch from where former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe left off, and to support Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh’s (謝長廷) concept that Taiwan and Japan form a “community of peace.” It also aimed to realize Vice President William Lai’s (賴清德) proposal to protect Taiwan through peaceful means.
Senior academics and experts from the two countries took part in the forum. Among the political leaders in Taiwan, Lai has put much effort into facilitating communication with Japan. He attended the forum despite his tight schedule.
Displaying his determination to defend peace in Taiwan and consolidate the friendship between the two nations, Lai said that he agreed with institute chairman Katsuhiko Eguchi’s comment that “Taiwan and Japan should weave a cloth of peace together.”
Lai advocated for establishing a communication mechanism to facilitate military collaboration between the two countries.
Hsieh said he believes the event was essential for realizing the idea that “peace is the power of love.”
He contrasted the concept with that of communist materialism, which he said is based on power without love. For Hsieh, being for peace means being against invasions, not being against resistance.
Lai’s and Hsieh’s approaches to peace are reminiscent of that of ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu (老子), who said: “With gentleness I can be bold.”
Lao Tzu also said that “compassion is sure to be victorious even in battle and it is to firmly maintain its ground. Heaven will save and protect those with compassion.”
University of Tokyo professor Tomoko Ako and General Association of Chinese Culture vice president Antonio Chiang (江春男) also shared their insightful views with the participants. The forum concluded with more perceptive remarks, and all participants looked forward to more fruitful conversations in the near future.
The next day, other participants and I visited the Wuchihshan Military Cemetery in New Taipei City to pay tribute to former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝). Against the chilly wind and cold rain, our group walked along a winding path to reach the cemetery, where we paid our respects to the father of Taiwanese democracy.
Throughout his life, Lee endeavored to guide Taiwan through all kinds of hardships, enabling it to stand alongside other democratic nations on the international stage, and paving the way for Taiwan and Japan to develop their friendship.
Despite the dreadful weather, we felt that his spirit was still with us. Having known Lee for 34 years, Eguchi could not help but shed tears, mourning for the passing of his dear friend.
Eguchi is dubbed the “founding father” of the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management. For decades, young Japanese have been nurtured by him, and many of his students have assumed significant positions in Japanese politics, in the ruling and the opposition parties, as well as in governmental and non-governmental organizations.
For the forum, Eguchi brought 16 of his disciples to Taiwan. His eminence in Japan will certainly revive Japanese pro-Taiwan groups, who have found themselves without a political leader after Abe’s death. Eguchi’s efforts are to boost the morale among the country’s pro-Taiwan politicians, who will in turn follow his deeds.
In contrast, China has been practicing “wolf warrior” diplomacy for some time, jeopardizing world peace and challenging the international order.
Efforts to isolate China have been made worldwide. Democratic countries, including the US, Japan and European nations, share a common suspicion of China. Given that peace should be a universal value enjoyed by people worldwide, those who destroy it should be considered the world’s enemy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin broke the peace by invading Ukraine, and the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against him.
Taiwan’s status has become more significant than ever, precisely as it has been defending world peace at the front line.
Taiwan was once the orphan of Asia, standing in the midst of the storm, but standing strong no matter how harsh the weather.
Today, Taiwan is in a different position. An unprecedented crisis could be a precious opportunity for a major breakthrough. Taiwan’s safety has become an international issue at the center of global peace and the world order.
Japan has a pacifist constitution. It is also the only country in the world that has been attacked by nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, peace in Taiwan has come under threat. Japan and Taiwan should work together as vanguards of peace. Their mission is to defend a core interest of the international community: peace.
The forum dealt a blow to absurd anti-US and anti-Japan comments that are debasing Taiwan.
I would like to thank the following organizations for offering their help to the forum: the Formosa Republican Association, the Taiwan Friends Association, Taiwan Association of University Professors and the Taiwan Medical Association. As we continue to care for Taiwan and work for the friendship with Japan, our paths will certainly cross again.
Wang Hui-sheng is chief director of the Kisei Ladies’ and Children’s Hospital in Japan and a founding member of the East Asian Research Institute.
Translated by Emma Liu
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