Although the close relations between Taiwan and Japan will likely continue despite the death of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, the ties have lost a key figure, academics have said.
The sudden passing of Abe, who was assassinated during an election campaign event in Nara, Japan, on Friday, has sparked discussions on whether it would change Taiwan-Japan relations.
Abe’s spirit of “protecting Japan” is reflected in the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) platform, which seeks to raise the country’s defense budget to 2 percent of GDP, similar to a goal set by NATO, Voice of America yesterday quoted Tamkang University Graduate Institute of Japanese Political and Economic Studies director Tsai Hsi-hsun (蔡錫勳) as saying.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is unlikely to change the platform, Tsai said, adding that Abe’s notable statement that “a Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency” remains valid, as Japan and Taiwan have similar interests.
Abe’s death is similar to the death of former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) last year, Tsai said, calling the two former leaders key figures in their countries’ relationship.
Before the two leaders became friends, such public, high-profile interactions between Taipei and Tokyo were unthinkable, the radio broadcaster quoted Tokyo International University Department of International Relations professor Masumi Kawasaki as saying.
The two had a teacher-student, or even father-son relationship, which motivated Abe to promote Taiwan-Japan ties, said Kawasaki, the author of Lee’s Dialogues.
But unfortunately, he has no successor, as LDP’s Policy Affairs Research Council chairperson Sanae Takaichi, an outspoken friend of Taiwan, has too little power in the party at the moment to significantly boost the ties, Kawasaki said.
China might seek to profit from Abe’s death and use the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Tokyo to push Japan in a more China-friendly direction, he said.
There is currently no member of the LDP faction formerly dominated by Abe who can confront China, while the faction led by Kishida might replace Cabinet members closely associated with the former prime minister, such as Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi, at the next opportunity, he said.
If Kishi and Takaichi were to be replaced, the Japanese government might become more China-friendly, Kawasaki said.
When Abe was prime minister, he placed a strong focus on national security and pushed for amending Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, which would remove curbs on the country’s defense capabilities, he said.
Whether constitutional reform remains on the agenda depends on whether Kishida remains prime minister after yesterday’s Japanese House of Councilors election, Kawasaki said.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
RSS