YOU Si-kun：In the tenure of Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu, Taiwan-Japan relations reached an unprecedented height.
At 6 p.m. of November 1, 2023, President You Si-kun accompanied by Secretary General Lin Jih-jia and International Affairs Department Director Calvin C.F. Lin attended the farewell party of Chief Representative of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Izumi Hiroyasu. The Control Yuan President Chen Chu, National Security Council Secretary General Wellington Koo, Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Chairman Su Jia-chyuan, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, cabinet members, Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an, members of diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests were present. A total of 300 participants were present.
Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu took the floor first. He was grateful to President Tsai for conferring the Brilliant Star Medal with grand Cordon upon him on October 30. He stated that this medal will become a family treasure. He expressed his utmost appreciation to all distinguished guests and friends for their assistance and support during his four-year tenure in Taiwan.
He continued to state that his diplomatic career was coming to an end, but during the last four years of his career, he received the assistance from the government of Taiwan, friends from various communities of economics and culture, he had a fond memory here. Japan is so fortunate to have a such good neighbor like Taiwan. He felt he was one of the most fortunate diplomats stationed in Taiwan.
Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu took the opportunity to thank his wife Masako for her support and all partners in the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association for their hard work. He emotionally thanked his late father that passed away two years ago. Through his mother, his last words were asking Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu not to go back to Japan with so many important tasks to complete Taiwan. Although he did not attend the funeral, he felt he was still alive. His 90-year old mother is the one that looks forward for his return. He felt such a great relief to accomplish an important task, and was full of content and gratitude.
He continued to state that over the past four years, he found there was a dramatic change of how the world views Taiwan. The reconstruction of global supply chain, pandemic crisis, Ukraine situation and other international situation changes deepen the correct global view of Taiwan. As President Tsai's national day address, Taiwan is a Taiwan of the world. The more confident Taiwan is, the more the world will see Taiwan. He believed this is a major diplomatic achievement of the Tsai administration. By contrast, he also witnessed Hong Kong's epical revolution torch had been extinguished one after another after the National Security Act was implemented. In order to defend freedom and democracy, repressed youth fled to various countries. Despite of it, he still believed that next generation will belong to the ones like Hong Kong’s young people.
He also stated that during his mission in Taiwan, Japan lost two pillars that supported Taiwan-Japan relations former President Lee Teng-hui and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Out of sudden, everyone was lost without knowing what to do. Fortunately, both Taiwan and Japan strongly stand up to further enhance bilateral relations. He believed that Taiwan will become increasingly important. Even there will be more trials ahead, I believe the people of Taiwan will bravely choose their own future.
He then pointed out that President Tsai mentioned in her national day address that we need to protect ourselves. We will control our future and destiny with unwavering spirit. Taiwan upholds and respects freedom and democracy will make indispensible contributions to the international community. Facing crisis, the people of Taiwan shall not divide and should be more united. Her statement showed her strong will to safeguard democracy and freedom to continue to contribute to the international community. This is the most important thing for Taiwan’s future.
He concluded with a simple introduction of his successor Kazuyuki Katayama is a former ambassador to Peru. He is an outstanding diplomatic, proficient in Chinese, and likes to learn different languages. Probably he will learn Taiwanese when he arrives. He believed the ambassador will do his best to play the role of bridge between Taiwan and Japan. Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu once again expressed his firm support and cordial friendship with Taiwan. He sincerely bid farewell to all distinguished guests and Taiwan.
President You then delivered his remarks. On behalf of Taiwan’s congress, the president congratulated the retirement of Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu. President You showed his respect to the chief representatives tremendous contributions in deepening Taiwan-Japan relations. President You stated it was hard to say goodbye and called Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu Taiwan’s friend forever.
President You continued to state that since Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu took office in November 2019, exchanges between Taiwan and Japan was forced to disrupt due to the lack down of Wuhan of China on January 23, 2020. However during his four-year tenure, bilateral relations reached an unprecedented height.
President You cited three examples to demonstrate the unprecedented cordial relations. First, in March 2021 when China blatantly banned Taiwan’s pineapples to export to China, thanks to the chief representative to help to promote them in Japan. He helped promoting on Facebook, which not only helped Taiwan’s farmers, but also making Japan become the largest export destination of Taiwan’s pineapples.
Second, in May 2021 when the pandemic was tense in Taiwan in short of vaccines, with the joint efforts of the chief representative and Ambassador Hsieh Chang-ting, a total of 4.2 million vaccine doses in six batches were provided to Taiwan. The government and people of Taiwan are grateful for that.
Third, former Prime Minister Abe stated “A contingence of Taiwan is a contingence for Japan and for US-Japan alliance.” in December 2021. His statement helped Taiwan tremendously. On April 19 this year, Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol openly stated that issues related Taiwan are global issues and opposed unilateral change of status quo with force. On May 5, the Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. stated Philippines bases could be useful if Taiwan attacked. The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that Taiwan’s security is a global issue on May 10. Within a short one month, leaders of Taiwan’s neighboring countries issued statement to support Taiwan, which is encouraging. On August 1, French President Emmanuel Macron enacted Military Programming Law (LPM) 2024-2030, specifically referring to defend the freedom of navigation of the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. All of these statements are the chain reaction of former Prime Minister Abe’s proposal. Therefore, President You believed that during the four-year tenure of the chief representative, Taiwan-Japan relations are at the best in history. The president concluded his remarks by saying that Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu is Taiwan’s friend forever. We will miss him very much, so please do come back as often as you can.
After President You’s remarks, in recognition of Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu’s utmost respect and appreciation, President You wrote a calligraphy of a man of good virtue can shoulder more responsibility on a commemorative plate to the chief Representative in recognition of his sincere friendship to Taiwan not only understanding Taiwan, but also friendly to Taiwan and love Taiwan.
Vice Premier Chen Wen-tsan and Chairman Su Jia-chyuan took the floor one after another. In the end, President You and Chief Representative Izumi Hiroyasu proposed a toast to all distinguished guests to bid farewell followed by the party with warm and relaxing atmosphere. The party concluded after two hours. (E)