Politics & Security

[Tokyo Outlook] A Special Trip to Taiwan That Brings Together the Power of an Era

"Embrace your Japanese nationality with pride. Each and every one of you young individuals can be a bridge between Japan and Taiwan" — Akie Abe in Taiwan

Published

1 year ago

July 31, 2023

Yasuo Naito, Editor in Chief

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen poses for a photo with a delegation led by Akie Abe. JAPAN Forward Editor-in-Chief Yasuo Naito is seen second from the left. (© Taiwan's Office of the President)

On July 17, Akie Abe embarked on a trip from Tokyo to Taiwan. She is the widow of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8, 2022.

From the outset, the delegation encountered the deep friendship the people of Taiwan feel toward Japan. She was introduced to a statue of Shinzo Abe that was recently erected at a temple in Kaohsiung. Then, she visited a photo exhibition dedicated to her late husband in Tainan as a special guest. As a representative of JAPAN Forward, I had the honor of accompanying the delegation.

The trip turned out to be far from routine. On the day of her departure to Taiwan, which was a public holiday, Frank Hsieh, the Representative at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Japan, personally saw Akie Abe off at the airport.

Upon her arrival in Taipei, she received a warm welcome from Taiwanese authorities and was escorted to her hotel. Even in my hotel room, I was surprised to see a souvenir and welcome card signed by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

*The statue of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a memorial to the friendship he promoted with Taiwan. At the Hongmaogang Bao'an Temple in Fengshan, Taiwan. (© Robert D Eldridge)*

A Friend of Taiwan

Security was tight throughout Mrs Abe's visit, with guards stationed outside her room. When leaving the hotel, she was always escorted by a convoy with police cars leading the way. Even when she was dining or traveling on the high-speed rail, security remained vigilant, albeit at a distance.

Furthermore, the Taiwanese media eagerly awaited her at each destination in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Tainan, swarming her for interviews. However, they refrained from following her on one occasion. That was when she paid her respects at the grave of former President Lee Teng-hui. The grave is looked after by the Taiwanese military on a mountain outside Taipei.

Numerous events were organized to honor Mrs Abe. Hundreds of people, including Taiwanese politicians and business leaders, attended luncheons and dinners to commemorate her late husband. Japanese songs like "A Thousand Winds" and "Flowers Will Bloom" played in the background.

During her courtesy visit to the Presidential Office, Akie Abe met individually with President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President William Lai. President Tsai expressed her gratitude and said that Abe would "always be revered as a good friend of Taiwan."

In response, Mrs Abe replied, "I felt the warmth of the people at each of our destinations." She emphasized her commitment to working diligently for the development of Japan-Taiwan relations in line with her husband's wishes. The meeting lasted almost an hour.

*Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen shakes hands with Akie Abe. (© Taiwan's Office of the President)*

'I Urge You All to Rise Up'

Members of the delegation were moved by the massive reception accorded to Akie Abe, a private citizen, even when considering her husband's bond with Taiwan.

A member of the delegation remarked, "Mrs Abe was treated like a state guest, and she fulfilled an important duty on behalf of her late husband."

Throughout the trip, Mrs Abe conveyed her husband's aspirations for Taiwan, always with a smile and sometimes with grateful tears.

A notable exchange took place when Akie Abe addressed Japanese students studying in Taiwan. She said, "Although the people of my husband's generation may be disheartened [by his passing], I urge all of you to rise up. Embrace your Japanese nationality with pride. Each and every one of you young individuals can be a bridge between Japan and Taiwan. I believe that nothing would bring greater joy to my husband."

The Taiwan Friends of Abe Association (headed by Chairman Chen Tangshan) which organized Mrs Abe's trip, had awarded scholarships to these Japanese students. It was moving to hear the students express their desire to serve as bridges between Japan and Taiwan and see their eyes sparkling with excitement.

*Akie Abe and President Tsai Ing-wen on July 19. (© Taiwan's Office of the President)*

The Power that Moves an Era

Throughout history, it has always been the power of youth that moves an era. An intern at JAPAN Forward, currently studying at Akita International University, wrote the article below.

Students Speak Out on G7 Hiroshima Summit: Like Ukraine, Taiwan Is Important Too

She asked international students at her university about their thoughts on the G7 Hiroshima Summit. It is evident from the students' responses that the words of Shinzo Abe, "A Taiwan crisis is a Japan crisis," hold relevance beyond Japan and Taiwan, resonating with the global community.

During my visit to Taiwan, I witnessed how the seeds planted by the late Prime Minister Abe were flourishing steadily.

It reminded me of a passage in the Bible that says, "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." (John 12:24)

JAPAN Forward will continue to reveal the true face of Japan, joining forces with people of all generations.

Watch for the next issue on August 21.

JAPAN Forward has entered its seventh year. Join us as we continue to share the true voice of Japan with the world. For inquiries, please call 0570-033-433 (Sankei iD) or email us at info@japan-forward.com.

Author: Yasuo Naito, Editor in Chief, JAPAN Forward