Taiwan lodges protest with Japan's top representative over remarks

Saturday 02nd May, 03:28 PM JST

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6 Comments

some14some at 05:23 PM JST - 2nd May

Saito, head of the Taipei office of Japan’s Interchange Association, told Hsia that it was purely his personal view that Taiwan’s status was still unresolved and that his comment did not reflect the position of the Japanese government,

yeah, he thought he was stationed at Japan's Highway Interchange.
OssanAmerica at 09:23 PM JST - 2nd May

I can understand pro-independence Taiwanese being upset but the comment that Taiwan's international status is unclear is hardly wrong. And it will stay that way until either Taiwan declares itself part of the PRC or an independent sovereign nation.
pathat at 04:47 AM JST - 3rd May

"I can understand pro-independence Taiwanese being upset but the comment that Taiwan's international status is unclear is hardly wrong. And it will stay that way until either Taiwan declares itself part of the PRC or an independent sovereign nation."

I agree with you Ossan, but it is a pretty lame explanation for Saito to say his remarks represented his "personal view" when he is Japan's top man in Taiwan-regardless of his official position.
OssanAmerica at 05:14 AM JST - 3rd May

pathat, I agree that Saito should have stuck to his statement which is technically not wrong, rather than "make excuses" that it's his personal view. That the nation he represents has full diplomatic relations with China but doesn't even have an official embassy in Taiwan is clear evidence that Taiwans international status is "unclear".
TheVripper at 06:16 AM JST - 3rd May

> That the nation he represents has full diplomatic relations with China but doesn't even have an official embassy in Taiwan is clear evidence that Taiwans international status is "unclear". >

This is circular logic that doesn't explain much. The only reason why Saito would something like this is economic, since the J gov knows that the Commies are going to be the big dogs in the region, and the J gov needs to ride that economic gravy train, or else face an empty future. In fact, the J gov has plenty of channels which they communicate with the nation of Taiwan, they just don't advertise it.

His statement is worrisome in that it reveals the truth about the balance of power in the region: China officially has the lock down on Japan.
OssanAmerica at 08:39 AM JST - 3rd May

China officially has the lock down on Japan.

And the United States.