At the end of last month, I was invited by the Friends of Lee Teng-hui Association to attend a forum in Japan and give a keynote speech on the Jan. 13 presidential election.
The global community is concerned about Taiwan’s future, yet according to my observation overseas, the people least concerned are Taiwanese.
This does not mean that Taiwanese are indifferent to politics. Compared with Japanese, Taiwanese are political enthusiasts. However, those involved usually do not know what they are doing, and Taiwanese do not know the significance of the ballot in their hands. The election results could change the world.
Taiwan’s public might feel that foreigners have no right and no place to meddle in local politics. After all, people are most concerned about the economy and putting food on the table. What has Taiwan’s future or politics got to do with the Japanese?
However, Taiwanese politics is no longer a domestic affair. It is a global one. In August, the Japanese government sent former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso to Taiwan to inquire about the political vision of Vice President Willam Lai (賴清德), the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential candidate, and the direction Lai has in store for the nation. Before that, Aso also met with Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘). Aso’s move confirmed that the Japanese government was approaching all potential presidential candidates with the aim of getting first-hand information.
Despite what pro-China politicians and fake news have been saying, Japan has taken serious the stance of “if Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” For Japan, it is more than just a political slogan — it is a hard reality. If China makes a move against Taiwan, the question of sending aid to Taiwan goes without saying for Japan, because China would be blocking Japan’s maritime transportation of oil supplies and other strategic goods, and undermining the defense of Japan’s southwestern waters if Tokyo chooses to maintain neutrality. Before a potential invasion, China is likely to first attack joint US military bases in Japan. As a result, Tokyo could be the one facing trouble even before Taipei does.
It is understandable why the global community would be so concerned about Taiwan’s elections. The elections could play a role in determining whether Beijing invades Taiwan. As opposed to the opposition parties’ narrative of “vote for the DPP and young people go to war,” the global community has the impression that a pro-China party would actually bring about a cross-strait war. The reason is fairly simple: Pro-China parties would lower the nation’s guard, thereby making things easy for China.
Aso told reporters that he felt assured after Lai demonstrated his resolve and determination to safeguard Taiwan. This means that Japan feels Taiwan can only keep China at bay with pro-Taiwan parties securing half of the legislative seats and Lai’s administration in office.
Taiwan’s future, of course, eventually rests in the hands of Taiwanese themselves. Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) once quoted French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre’s idea that “man is completely free and responsible for himself, but also responsible for all men.”
Taiwan’s public is responsible for casting a ballot that might change the world, and this is the very first step for Taiwanese holding the reins to the nation’s future.
Shogo Lim is a member of the Japan chapter of World United Formosans for Independence and a member of the Taiwan Statebuilding Party.
Translated by Rita Wang
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