Japanese Lawmakers Establish Taiwan Strait Peace Study Group, Aim to Propose Policies and Advance Legislation

(Tsai Ya-chen, Central News Agency, Tokyo, June 16) A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers has established the 'Diet Members' Association for Considering Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait.' The founding members stated that peace in the Taiwan Strait is inseparable from Japan's security, and they plan to hold monthly research meetings inviting experts and scholars to discuss the situation in the Taiwan Strait, Japan's national security, and Japan-Taiwan cooperation. They hope to transform their research outcomes into policy recommendations and legislative references for the Japanese government.

The study group was jointly initiated by five members of Japan's Diet: Seiichi Kitamura, a member of the House of Councillors from the Japan Conservative Party; Kaoru Nishida and Mitsuhisa Yokota, members of the House of Representatives from the Japan Innovation Party; Ishira Ishihira, a member of the House of Councillors from the same party; and Yoshihiko Yamada, a member of the House of Councillors from the Democratic Party for the People. They stated that they plan to continue inviting more lawmakers from different parties to join, expanding cross-party cooperation.

Ishihira Ishihira, who serves as the group's secretary-general, posted on social media platform X today, stating that the five founding members visited the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan yesterday to meet with Representative Lee Yi-young. Both sides exchanged views on how to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the importance of deepening Japan-Taiwan cooperation. During the meeting, Lee also invited the lawmakers to visit Taiwan at the earliest opportunity.

Ishihira stated that the establishment of the group is primarily driven by a strong sense of crisis over the notion that 'a crisis in Taiwan is a crisis for Japan.' The purpose is to continuously deepen research and discussion, to proactively prevent crises in the Taiwan Strait, maintain peace and stability, and simultaneously prepare for potential emergency situations.

He stated that the group will actively engage in exchanges with various sectors in Taiwan, and on this basis, consolidate relevant opinions and research findings to submit concrete policy recommendations to Japan's Diet and government.

Akio Yatabe, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Institute, posted on Facebook stating that in recent years, Japan's Diet has gradually launched a movement to 'correctly name Taiwan.' The long-standing 'Japan-Taiwan Diet Members' Friendship Association' (formerly known as the 'Japan-China Diet Members' Association') has recently been officially renamed. This newly established organization has directly included 'peace in the Taiwan Strait' in its name.

He stated that this represents Japan's Diet demonstrating its stance to the international community through concrete actions, promoting greater recognition that 'peace in the Taiwan Strait is an important part of international public interest.' This is a clear response to China's increasing military pressure and diplomatic suppression in recent years.

Yatabe revealed that he participated in part of the preparatory work for the group's formation and recently held a small seminar in Tokyo with several founding lawmakers, introducing the current political and security situation in Taiwan and how Taiwanese society observes regional developments. He stated that it is clearly evident that Japanese political circles' concern for Taiwan is gradually shifting from emotional support to the stage of concrete policy discussions.

He added that the Indo-Pacific Strategy Institute is planning to invite members of the group to visit Taiwan in September to conduct deeper exchanges with various sectors in Taiwan. (Edited by Chen Cheng-kung) 1150616