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[Tokyo, May 14, Archyde.com]- In an interview with Archyde.com, Minoru Kihara, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party’s House of Representatives, secretary-general of the Japan-China Diet Members Association, which promotes exchanges between Japan and Taiwan, said in an interview with Archyde.com that if an emergency were to occur in Taiwan, Japan would expressed the view that Poland will be required to play a role in protecting refugees in the Ukraine war.
Many people fled the country after Russia invaded Ukraine. Neighboring Poland was one of the biggest donors, hosting more than a million refugees. Many of those who fled abroad also entered the European Union (EU) from Poland.
Kihara said, “We are members of the Japanese Diet, so of course we have to consider the protection of Japanese nationals living abroad. However, when it comes to Taiwan, we have to assume Poland’s role in the Ukraine war.”
According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan’s population is about 23.26 million. There are many foreign residents, including about 20,000 Japanese.
Kihara said, “Japan is a member of the international community and the only Asian country in the G7 (seven major countries),” and said that it is necessary to consider protecting not only Japanese but also Taiwanese refugees. indicate. He said it was a “very important perspective” for neighboring Japan.
In mid-August last year, right after China conducted military exercises to surround Taiwan, Kihara visited Taiwan with Keiji Furuya, chairman of the Japan-China Parliamentarians’ Advisory Panel (Liberal Democratic Party). He met with President Tsai Ing-wen and other government and ruling party officials. He also visited Taiwan in October.
Since Japan does not recognize Taiwan as a country, it does not have formal diplomatic relations and maintains non-governmental working relations.
*The interview was conducted on the 13th.
(Kaori Kaneko Edited by Nobuhiro Kubo)