Taipei Times
Date: Dec 19, 2016

Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi, a member of the Diet’s

Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi poses for a photograph during an interview in Tokyo on Dec. 10. Photo: Tsou Ching-wen, Taipei Times

House of Councilors and brother of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, called for the strengthening of Taiwan-US-Japan relations in an interview with ‘Liberty Times’ (the sister newspaper of the ‘Taipei Times’) staff reporter Tzou Jiing-wen in Tokyo on Nov. 30. He also said the proper solution to Taiwan’s ban on food product imports from five Japanese prefectures is key to furthering Taiwan-Japan economic and trade cooperation

Liberty Times (LT): Many observers believe that Donald Trump’s election as the US president will change international politics on a structural level, and for Japan, his attitude toward the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are of particular concern. What are your thoughts?

Nobuo Kishi: The election of Trump in early November was indeed a surprise to observers around the world, including Japan. It is possible that great changes will follow in Japan-US relations and the US grand strategy in Asia, according to some views.    [FULL  STORY]