Toshinao Ishii reports in the Yomiuri Shimbun, from Taipei:
Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou of the ruling Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT), has shown signs of distancing Taiwan from Japan, a sign that should alert Tokyo to the fact that more dialogue with Taipei is necessary.
Taiwan is basically well disposed to Japan. Since Tokyo waived tourist visas for Taiwanese visitors in 2005, more than 2.4 million Japanese and Taiwanese have visited each other’s soil annually. Public opinion polls in recent years showed Japan topping the United States as the most favored country among Taiwanese.
According to sources involved in bilateral affairs, under the pro-Japan administration of Ma’s predecessor, Chen Shui-bian, bilateral ties were at their warmest since Japan severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1972. Ma–who assumed office in May–repeatedly stressed his intent to maintain this solid relationship.
However, Taiwan’s criticism of Japan has intensified since a Taiwan fishing boat sank in waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on June 10.
