The Taiwan-Japan relationship has been at a high point in recent years, much of which had to do with former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. On Monday, President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Su Tseng-chang visited Japan’s de facto embassy in Taiwan to pay respects to the former Japanese leader, who was assassinated on Friday. Also there was Legislative Speaker You Si-kun, who lamented that Abe didn’t have the chance to visit Taiwan’s legislature.
Following the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association on Monday held a memorial service in Taipei. President Tsai Ing-wen was in attendance to offer condolences and words of thanks for the former leader.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
Throughout recent years when Taiwan faced challenges including earthquakes and the pandemic, former Prime Minister Abe always extended a helping hand. In the international arena, he also spoke up for Taiwan and actively supported Taiwan''s bid for international participation. The friendship and warmth of former Prime Minister Abe toward Taiwan will always remain in our hearts.
In a memorial message, Tsai wrote that Abe was “Forever a good friend of Taiwan’s.” She thanked him for his contributions to Taiwan-Japan relations, and to world democracy, freedom, human rights and peace. She had ordered all government agencies and schools to fly Taiwan’s national flag at half-mast on Monday to commemorate Abe. Premier Su Tseng-chang was also on hand at the memorial to offer thanks to the former prime minister.
Su Tseng-chang
Premier
I am especially thankful that when Taiwan was most in need, when it was being pressured by China, former Prime Minister Abe always spoke up for Taiwan.
You Si-kun
Legislative speaker
He had promised to visit the Legislative Yuan, but due to the pandemic he wasn’t able to come sooner. Nobody could have imagined that due to these unfortunate circumstances, he would not be able to make that visit happen.
Reports say Tsai will appoint Legislative Speaker You Si-kun and Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Chairman Su Jia-chyuan, to attend a public memorial service for Abe to be held in Japan next month. Abe is widely considered to be one of Japan’s more Taiwan-friendly leaders to date. Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Representative Izumi Hiroyasu recalled what Abe had said to him about the Taiwan-Japan relationship, just before Izumi came to Taiwan in 2019.
Izumi Hiroyasu
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association
He said to me, “Representative Izumi, you’re going to Taiwan, are you? Japan and Taiwan have a special historical relationship. You must always consider the feelings of the Taiwanese people. Don’t let them feel lonely.”
A message board outside the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has been covered in messages from the public. Both Taiwanese and Japanese living in Taiwan have offered their condolences, showing how deeply they felt the contributions made by the former Japanese prime minister.
