Japan's Happiness Realization Party Proposes Taiwan Exchange Development Act; Green Legislator: Supports Pro-Taiwan Legislation

Japan's Happiness Realization Party today announced that it would promote a 'Taiwan Exchange Development Act' (Japanese version of the Taiwan Travel Act) to strengthen substantive Taiwan-Japan relations. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Tsai Yi-yu stated that as a ruling party legislator, he fully supports relevant pro-Taiwan legislation and cooperation initiatives. Japan's Happiness Realization Party Secretary-General Masatoshi Enatsu, Tsai Yi-yu, Taiwan North Society, National and Regional Development Research Center of Kainan University, and other units jointly held a press conference at the Legislative Yuan to announce the draft of the 'Taiwan Exchange Development Act' (Japanese version of the Taiwan Travel Act) by Japan's Happiness Realization Party. Masatoshi Enatsu stated that Premier Cho Jung-tai's visit to Japan in March to watch the World Baseball Classic (WBC) sparked strong reactions from China and also caused controversy within Taiwan. Against this backdrop, he believes that before a comprehensive institutional framework, including the 'Taiwan Relations Act,' is established, the foundation for exchanges must first be laid. Therefore, he positions this proposed Japanese version of the Taiwan Travel Act as a starting point for gradually strengthening Japan-Taiwan relations. Masatoshi Enatsu pointed out that the draft's content centers on inter-governmental exchanges, while also promoting parliamentary interactions and supporting local public groups' exchanges with Taiwan. By respecting Taiwan's relevant customs and the Taiwanese flag, the 'Taiwan Travel Act' can become a law that supports the expansion of diverse exchanges beyond the governmental level. Tsai Yi-yu said he hopes that in the future, officials from both Taiwan and Japan can conduct mutual visits and dialogues in a more formal and stable manner under a legal framework, which will not only benefit bilateral economic and trade and policy cooperation but also be closely related to the overall security strategic layout of the Asia-Pacific region and the first island chain. Tsai Yi-yu stated that as a ruling party legislator, he will fully support relevant pro-Taiwan legislation and cooperation initiatives, and also thanked the Happiness Realization Party for proactively proposing the bill at this time, substantively supporting Taiwan in the name of a political party, which has both symbolic and substantive significant meaning for Taiwan-Japan relations. (Editors: Lin Ke-lun, Wan Shu-chang) 1150417