Shihei Ishihira, a member of Japan's House of Councillors from the Japan Innovation Party and of Chinese descent, visited Taiwan. At a forum on the 9th, he stated that Japan and Taiwan should strengthen cooperation to counter China's intimidation, that Japan should break through current restrictions and taboos, further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan, and that he would contribute his efforts in the Japanese parliament.
The Japan Innovation Party is the third-largest party in Japan’s House of Representatives and the fifth-largest in the House of Councillors. Ishihira was born in China and later naturalized as a Japanese citizen; he has long criticized the Chinese regime. Ishihira began his four-day visit to Taiwan on the 6th.
According to the Central News Agency, the Indo-Pacific Strategy think tank held the “2026 Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank Seminar—How Should We Engage with China” that afternoon at the Chang Yung-fa Foundation. Ishihira was invited to deliver a brief speech.
Ishihira said that China’s economic development benefited from the assistance of the United States, Japan, and Taiwanese businesses. At that time, China only had its labor force and lacked capital and technology; the US once harbored the illusion that economic development could bring democracy and freedom to China, but that illusion has now been shattered.
He stressed that no one should harbor any illusions about the Chinese Communist Party, and that simply talking things over, saying nice things, or shedding tears would not bring peace. Back when the future of Hong Kong after its return to China was being secured, the UK and China issued a joint declaration. Looking at Hong Kong now, “One Country, Two Systems” and “unchanged for 50 years” have both been destroyed. What meaning does that declaration still have?
Ishihira believes that Japan should further strengthen its partnership and cooperation with Taiwan. The Japanese government must dare to break through restrictions and taboos, and continue to broadly cooperate with the Taiwan government in the economic, cultural, or even national defense fields. Countries that share similar values must unite to jointly defend peace, democracy, and freedom.