Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Taiwan's "Ceasing the Function of the National Unification Council and the Application of the National Unification Guidelines"

February 28, 2006

Japan's stance on the relations with Taiwan is as stated in the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China and has not changed at all.
Regarding the issues surrounding Taiwan, Japan does not want any military or political conflict and strongly hopes that matters will be resolved peacefully by means of direct dialog between the parties concerned. From this point of view, Japan does not support any unilateral attempt by either party to change the status quo. Taking this point into consideration, Japan takes note of Taiwan's statement that it has no intention of changing the status quo.
Japan believes that from the viewpoint of the peace and stability of the region, it is necessary for both parties concerned to resume dialog as early as possible without trying to change the status quo so that the cross-strait tension will not rise any further.

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