Shimpei Okuhara 
Crowds gather to see giant panda Yuihin at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, May 3.
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Shirahama Mayor Yasuhiro Oe has been giving serious thought to the town's future. Rather than lamenting the return of all four giant pandas from its well-known leisure facility, Adventure World, he's turning his focus toward a broader vision. The pandas are set to leave for China at the end of June, taking with them one of Shirahama's most iconic tourist attractions.
In an interview with The Sankei Shimbun, Oe, formerly a member of the House of Councillors, outlined his intention to strengthen ties with Taiwan. "I want to engage with regions that share our values," he said.
Read part one here
Pandas as Political Bargaining Chips
Did the retirement of former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, who had strong ties to China and a political base in Shirahama, affect the decision to return the pandas?
It probably did. Nikai had such close ties to China that some said he could meet with President Xi Jinping more easily than even Japan's prime minister. If he were still in office, I doubt China would have made Adventure World return all the pandas simply because the contract had ended.
The Japan-China Friendship Parliamentary League, chaired by LDP lawmaker Hiroshi Moriyama, visited China from April 27 to 29. There were reports that they asked Chinese officials to consider lending Japan more pandas. Do you know more?
Actually, on the night of April 24, right after the news broke, a Diet member friend called and said, "Moriyama and Yuko Obuchi are heading to China over Golden Week (the end of April). Should we ask them to request an extension for you?" I appreciated the offer, but I declined and said, "No, thank you."
Why?
Because I don't believe we must absolutely get the pandas back. If Adventure World had asked for help lobbying for an extension, that would be one thing. But ultimately, this is a matter between Adventure World and China. During talks with Adventure World, I also sensed they didn't want to become politically involved in this issue.
Adventure World's announcement that all four pandas would be returned came just before Moriyama's delegation departed for China.
I believe the timing was intentional. China likely wanted to maintain control of the situation and preserve its political leverage. Nevertheless, the shock was very real. During Golden Week, crowds rushed to see the pandas one last time before their departure.
Choosing Taiwan Over China
There was talk of a sister-city relationship with Chenghua District in Chengdu before you became mayor. Where does that stand now?
This past April, a Chinese Communist Party official from Chenghua visited and expressed interest in formalizing the partnership. I told them, "That could be difficult." I have no intention of pursuing a full sister-city relationship.
A new charter flight between Nanki-Shirahama and Taiwan is launching this month. Do you see Taiwan playing a larger role in Shirahama's future?
My hope lies with Taiwan. It's a country that shares Japan's core values: freedom, democracy, and human rights. I want to build ties with partners who uphold those principles.
Do you have concrete plans?
I'm planning to visit Taiwan and meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on May 22. We've known each other since my days in the Diet. I intend to explain Shirahama's situation and ask her directly for support."
Other regions, like Sendai and Ibaraki, are actively trying to bring in pandas. Do you intend to do the same for Shirahama?
As long as I'm mayor of Shirahama, I'll accept the reality that we no longer have pandas. I have no intention of asking the Ishiba administration to bring them back. But if Taiwan is willing to support us in other ways, I'd welcome that wholeheartedly."
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Author: Shimpei Okuhara, The Sankei Shimbun
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