During a meeting with Japan's new representative to Taiwan Masaki Saito at the Presidential Office Aug. 1, President Ma Ying-jeou stressed that warming cross-strait ties would only benefit the bilateral relationship between Taipei and Tokyo. The importance of ROC-Japan relations to the Ma administration was reaffirmed Aug. 4 after Ma stated that he valued the traditional friendship between the two nations and hoped to further promote exchanges in various aspects.
For the government, the status of Japan as one of the ROC's most important partners has never been in doubt. High-level visits to Tokyo by Economic Affairs Minister Yiin Chii-ming July 27, Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng Aug. 8 and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung Aug. 25 underline this fact.
In addition, the designation of John Feng--an experienced diplomat who was an adviser and spokesman for Ma during his presidential election campaign--as Taiwan's new representative to Japan speaks volumes. Foreign Affairs Minister Francisco Ou said Feng has Ma's trust and will play a vital role in accurately and clearly conveying the president's messages to Tokyo.
Over the past decade, the relationship between Taiwan and Japan has grown steadily stronger. The tourist visa waiver program, reciprocal recognition of driver's licenses and the inking of an agreement in May, which promotes aviation safety and cooperation in the investigation of airline accidents, have helped boost exchanges and friendship between the two nations.
Such robust relations also extend to increased trade. Japan is now Taiwan's second largest trading partner, while Taiwan is Japan's fourth. Ma believes trade is an area that Taipei and Tokyo can use to increase interaction between the two nations, with Taiwan-Japan business alliances seen as an effective way of accessing the mainland Chinese market. Premier Liu Chao-shiuan echoed this during a meeting with Saito Aug. 20 in Taipei. Liu said if businesses from Taiwan and Japan work together to tap opportunities on the mainland, this will create a "win-win-win situation."
A strong Taipei-Tokyo relationship is in the best interests of both nations and the stability of East Asia. As such, if President Ma's goal of attaining peace and prosperity between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is to be reached, then ROC-Japan ties must continue to be enhanced.
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