Скачать или смотреть TAIWAN: PRO CHINA SUPPORTERS JAPAN PROTEST

(15 Nov 1999) Japanese/Nat

Pro-China supporters in Taiwan have demonstrated against a visit to the country by a leading Japanese politician.

They say the visit by Tokyo's Govenor, Shintaro Ishihara, will needlessly upset China.

They are also angry about reports that the outspoken governor said Japanese troops did not kill thousands of Chinese in the 'Rape of Nanking' during World War Two.

Ishihara is the first high profile Japanese politician to visit Taiwan for more than twenty years and came at the personal invitation of Taiwan's President.

Officially he is in Taiwan to express Tokyo's sympathies to the victims of the deadly earthquake that hit Taiwan in September.

The warmth of the greeting shown for Tokyo's Governor, Shintaro Ishihara, by Taiwan's President, Lee Teng-hui, is perhaps unsurprising - they are longtime friends.

Ishihara arrived on Saturday for a three-day visit to express the sympathies of Tokyo's citizens to the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan on September 21.

But Ishihara is also the highest profile Japanese politician to come to Taiwan since Japan cut diplomatic ties with the island in 1972.

His trip comes after a period of high tension between Taiwan and China, which have been ruled by separate governments since 1949.

Taiwan's New Party supports reunification with China. Around 30 of its supporters protested against the visit, saying it would upset China.

The group was also angry at remarks Ishihara made in a Japanese magazine saying Japanese troops did not kill thousands of Chinese in the 'Rape of Nanking' during World War Two.

This was despite numerous accounts by historians that thousands were killed.

The protesters carried large copies of black-and-white photos that showed victims of the
killings.

And they held a black banner telling Ishihara to return to Tokyo.

Neither Ishihara or President Lee would comment on the remarks about the 'Rape of Nanking'

The Govenor was concentrating on the aftermath of Taiwan's earthquake.

SOUNDBITE: (Japanese)
"I won't be able to give President Lee advice unless I visit the disaster areas in person. I think Taiwan's quick responses and rescue efforts could be good examples for Tokyo."
SUPER CAPTION: Shintaro Ishihara, Tokyo Governor

Japan's Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi, is reported to have welcomed the governor's trip.

In Japan's largest daily newspaper, 'The Yomiuri', the prime minister is quoted as saying he doesn't think the trip will harm Japan's relations with China.

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