Originally published on February 17, 2020.
This article introduces an interview in the Sankei Shimbun with Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s incoming vice president.
It discusses Japan-Taiwan relations, Taiwan’s democratization, the novel coronavirus crisis, Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO, and Chinese interference in Taiwan’s elections, while recalling how Lai, then mayor of Tainan, personally brought donations from citizens to Sendai immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake and later visited Nikko to counter harmful rumors about radiation.

February 17, 2020
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, in April 2011, Mr. Lai, who was then mayor of Tainan, personally brought donations from citizens and rushed to Sendai, which had a friendly relationship with Tainan, to visit the disaster victims directly.
The following is from an interview with Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s incoming vice president, published in today’s Sankei Shimbun.
A well-read friend sent it to me by email in case I had forgotten to read it.
Akio Yaita, who wrote the introductory text to this article, proved that he is one of the finest active journalists of our time.
Taiwan’s Democratization Is Appreciated by the World
Even within the Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s ruling party, which is said to be pro-Japanese, Lai Ching-te is known as one of the politicians who places the greatest importance on relations with Japan.
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, in April 2011, Mr. Lai, who was then mayor of Tainan, personally brought donations from citizens and rushed to Sendai, which had a friendly relationship with Tainan, to visit the disaster victims directly.
Two months later, in June of the same year, he visited Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture, which also had tourism exchanges with Tainan, together with about 300 citizens of Tainan.
At that time, Nikko’s tourism industry had suffered a devastating blow from harmful rumors about radioactive contamination.
The purpose of the visit was to dispel those bad rumors, and Mr. Lai, standing at the front, wore a T-shirt bearing the words “Let’s Go to Nikko.”
It goes without saying that the election of Mr. Lai as vice president, a man who understands Japan and has many acquaintances in Japan’s political and business circles, will be a great plus for Japan-Taiwan relations from now on.
He is scheduled to take office on May 20, but until then, Mr. Lai is merely a private citizen.
Normally, there should be no diplomatic problem whatsoever with his visiting Japan, and there is no reason for China to complain.
Indeed, in early February, Mr. Lai visited Washington, the capital of the United States, and held talks with American dignitaries.
However, within the Japanese government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are forces that oppose high-level exchanges with Taiwan out of fear of provoking China, especially in consideration of the possible impact on the state visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
At present, it must be said that whether Mr. Lai’s visit to Japan can be realized remains uncertain.
As infections caused by the novel coronavirus from China continue to spread, Japan and Taiwan need to cooperate in responding to the crisis.
Accepting a visit by Mr. Lai, who is both the incoming vice president and a public-health expert, would be support for Taiwan, which is not a member of the World Health Organization, and would also accord with Japan’s national interest.
I sincerely hope it will be realized.
Taipei, Akio Yaita
Main Exchanges
—What were the results of your visit to the United States?
Incoming Vice President Lai Ching-te:
The other day, as Taiwan’s incoming vice president, I attended the National Prayer Breakfast, a large gathering to which political and business leaders from the United States and abroad are invited.
I met with many friends.
I was also able to participate in a discussion hosted by a local think tank.
Regarding the spread of infections caused by the novel coronavirus from China, people from various circles in the United States told me, “We support Taiwan’s admission to the WHO.”
It was a very fruitful trip.
I believe that my visit to the United States was realized because the achievements of Taiwan’s democratization are highly appreciated throughout the world.
—Do you have plans to visit Japan?
Mr. Lai:
Many Japanese friends have invited me, saying, “Please come even before you take office.”
I am very grateful.
However, at present, there are no concrete plans.
I would like to do anything that benefits the friendly relationship between Taiwan and Japan.
If there is an opportunity in the future, I would certainly like to go.
There is still much that can be done to further develop relations between Taiwan and Japan.
Industrial exchanges are now led by the private sector, but if a support framework is built, they will become even better.
Taiwanese people also love baseball, so just as a Canadian team participates in Major League Baseball in the United States, it would be interesting if a Taiwanese team could participate in Japan’s professional baseball league.
—Regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus
Mr. Lai:
As a former physician, I have a strong interest in this issue.
I am concerned about China’s opaque and sloppy countermeasures.
Are the announced numbers of infected people and the mortality rate really true?
Because China does not accept foreign experts and does not disclose detailed information, there are too many unknowns, such as the source of the virus and the routes of infection, and effective measures cannot be taken.
The whole world is being inconvenienced.
Also, is the method of forcibly locking down entire cities such as Wuhan really effective?
Serious human-rights violations are taking place.
Every time I see tragic news, my heart aches with worry and sympathy.
—China is excluding Taiwan over the WHO issue and other matters
Mr. Lai:
Even though great confusion is occurring inside its own country, the Chinese authorities will not stop bullying Taiwan.
They fly military aircraft around Taiwan and cross the median line to create military tension.
They are also desperate to exclude Taiwan from international organizations.
Taiwan is currently not a member of the WHO or the International Civil Aviation Organization, so the latest infection information and information on the movement of people do not come in.
Only a dictatorial state that ignores human rights would do such things.
Has the world not been able to see China’s true face?
—China also interfered in Taiwan’s election
Mr. Lai:
In the 2018 unified local elections, interference by China was terrible.
Based on that experience, in this presidential election in January this year, we took firm countermeasures by strengthening online monitoring systems, checking the flow of funds, and creating newspaper sections pointing out fake news.
I believe we were able to suppress the impact of Chinese interference to a certain extent.
More than that, I believe that the reason we won with the highest number of votes in history was that the reformist stance of the DPP administration was appreciated, and because Taiwanese voters who “do not want to become like Hong Kong” showed their will to defend democracy.
Interviewer: Akio Yaita