The Legislative Yuan

Press Release

July 4, 2023

Press conference after the ice-breaking direct ferry service from Suao Harbor of Yilan County to Yonaguni Island of Okinawa Prefecture

You Si-kun: I hope this trip will boost the tourism between Suao and Yonaguni Island to promote friendship between Taiwan and Japan.

After President You concluded his trial trip to Yonaguni on July 4, he and Chairman Keiji Furuya took the ferry back to Taiwan and arrived at Suao Harbor around 5 P.M.

Asked by the media about administrative issues such as visa inspection, and the scenery of Yonaguni after the delegation arrived, President You responded by saying that there was no problem to travel abroad from the Sonai port of Yonaguni. However, since Sonai port is not an international port, the customs clearance process was completed by the assistance of relevant agencies and the staffers of Japan’s custom. President You stated that the entire trip was very smooth with nice weather. Since this was the trial trip for promoting tourism, he invited many members from the tourism industry and scholars from the academic community. He hoped the success of this trial trip would promote future tourism development of Suao and Yonaguni.

President You further pointed out that Yonaguni has less advanced tourism infrastructure. Its population is about 16,00. Current available hotel rooms are around 200. He hoped that through this trip, more people and business opportunities would be attracted to further develop its tourism. He asked about the members of the tourism industry, they thought it was a good trip, but it would take time to develop infrastructure to attract more tourists.

Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Keiji Furuya shared his thoughts about this trip with the press. He stated that today would be memorable day for Taiwan and Japan to remember. He was honored to take the ferry with President You to Taiwan. President You talked about this trip when Chairman Furuya led a delegation with more than 20 Japanese parliamentarians to Taiwan before National Day 2022. President You invited him to have a distant look at Yonaguni from Suao Harbor. He felt that he saw the island from distance. President You told him that he wanted to have a distant look at Taiwan from Yonaguni at that time. He did not expect that he made it within such a short time of eight months. Former Prime Minister Abe once said that “a Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan.” There is only 111 kilometers apart between Taiwan and Japan. Both sides indeed have close relations. With the intensive visit of foreign leaders to Taiwan not long ago, Taiwan Strait attracted the attention of the entire world. Both Taiwan and Japan should cooperate with each other to counter China’s intention to invade Taiwan. The US, Australia and other like-minded countries should have close cooperation to prevent China from taking any reckless actions.

Chairman Keiji Furuya mentioned about President Tsai Ing-wen’s National Day address focusing on four points. First, Taiwan will uphold democratic system. Second, if Taiwan unfortunately loses democracy, it would be a huge loss for itself as well as the entire world. Third, Taiwan will do its best to maintain status quo. With the status quo as a precondition, Taiwan is willing to have dialogue with China. Forth, the people of Tawain should be proud of the existing system. President Tsai’s remarks convince him more that Taiwan and Japan should further strengthen relations and friendship.  

Chairman Furuya also stated that from President You’s remarks, he felt President You’s passion and expectation to promote tourism and economic development between Taiwan and Japan. He witnessed in person how close the two places are. Some issues remained to settle before having a direct ferry service, but he hoped both sides will make joint efforts to find solutions. In closing, he once again thanked President You’s invitation to take the ferry from Yonaguni to Suao to visit Taiwan.