Bureau de Genève, Délégation Culturelle et Economique de Taipei

Regarding foreign media reports that misquote Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato as saying that Japan handles relations with Taiwan based on “one country, two systems,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) issues the following response as clarification:

1. According to the understanding of the government of Taiwan, at a press conference today (June 11), Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato merely reiterated Japan’s consistent position with regard to exchanges with Taiwan; he did not mention that Japan’s relationship with Taiwan is based on “one country, two systems.” MOFA expresses regret at certain news reports by international media outlets that draw incorrect conclusions from and erroneously interpret the statements made by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato. MOFA again stresses that the “one China principle” unilaterally advocated by China is a fallacy. Since the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, it has never governed Taiwan for one single day. This is an indisputable fact and reality. The so-called “one country, two systems” concept is unacceptable to the people of Taiwan because only Taiwan’s popularly elected government can represent Taiwan’s people internationally and develop external relations. MOFA will continue to endeavor to make the story of Taiwan’s democratic development and the government’s administrative achievements heard and supported by the international community.

2. The Japanese government has reiterated on numerous occasions that Taiwan and Japan share the core values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights and maintain an important partnership and close friendship. High-level Japanese government officials have on many occasions publicly supported Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations. Japan’s House of Councillors for the first time passed a unanimous resolution today (June 11) in support of Taiwan’s participation in WHO, again demonstrating the strong mutual trust and robust friendship between Taiwan and Japan and highlighting their cordial and cooperative relationship. In addition, at leaders’ summits and high-level meetings with the United States, the European Union, Australia, and other like-minded countries, senior Japanese government officials and their counterparts have emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in joint communiqués and statements.

3. On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, MOFA again expresses heartfelt gratitude to Japan for its timely assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan and for its support for Taiwan’s international participation. Since severing diplomatic relations in 1972, Taiwan and Japan have fostered and continue to strengthen a dynamic, comprehensive, and substantive partnership in areas such as trade, investment, education, science and technology, culture, and tourism. Indeed, the two countries have signed nearly 100 cooperative agreements and memorandums of understanding. Based on the existing solid foundation, in the future Taiwan will continue to deepen its friendly and cooperative ties with all sectors of Japan’s society in all fields.