Petition on Opposition to the Coming to Japan of Taiwan’s National Defense Minister Chiang

No. 594, Tokyo General Headquarters, Japan-China Import-Export Association, Sent

November 6, 1967

To: Ushiba Nobuhiko

Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs

From: Kawase Ikkan

Chairman, Japan-China Import-Export Association

Petition on Opposition to the Coming to Japan of Taiwan’s National Defense Minister Chiang

The historic undertaking of the improving of relations between Japan and China – a major issue of our country’s diplomacy, together with the broadly stalemated war in Vietnam – is becoming increasingly difficult.

In the midst of such a situation, our country’s 100 million people, who wish for the prosperity of the nation and the Japanese people, have been completely calm in their response to the present policy of improving relations between Japan and China and sincerely hope that this great undertaking will be accomplished without problems or difficulties.

Regrettably, however, the recent state of affairs between the two countries has, on the contrary, further intensified a worrisome situation. With his coming to Japan scheduled to take place soon, the invitation of Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense Chiang Ching-kuo is something conspicuous that will further pour fuel on this trend. In particular, it may prove a fatal obstacle to trade between Japan and China.

Taiwan, for China, is completely Chinese territory. Liberating Taiwan is at present thought to have become the firm conviction of all the people. I believe that here is rooted the main cause of the Yoshida Letter and other issues becoming decisive obstacles for friendship and trade between Japan and China, in particular to the expansion of LT trade.

Should such a situation build upon itself, China’s wariness regarding Japan will grow day by day. In the end, expectations that the 700 million Chinese people were all holding in regard to our country will turn into distrust. The concern that it would accumulate and turn in a direction of intense opposition to -Japan is fully conceivable.

In the past, on account of the suspension of trade in 1958, relations between Japan and China were entirely interrupted. As a result of our country’s backbreaking national efforts and China’s measures to improve relations with Japan, the mutual efforts of Japan and China built upon one another and trade gradually resumed. Today, it has expanded to a scale of 620 million dollars. However, even that trade is once again facing a difficult crisis.

I ask you that please consider in greater depth the present situation. In order for Japan and China, on the basis of mutual confidence, cooperating with one another, each making efforts, to open the way to enable an increase in friendship and the development of trade, at this time, more than anything else, I hope that steps are taken to cancel this invitation to National Defense Minister Chiang and that improvements in relations between Japan and China are expeditiously put into concrete form.

On the basis of the decision of the Japan-China Import-Export Association’s emergency board meeting, we make this petition.

End