Opinion Piece: From Mutual Diplomacy to One-Sided Appeasement — The Crisis and Imbalance in Taiwan-Japan Relations

Diplomatic relations between nations should be built upon the three pillars of 'dignity, reciprocity, and national interest.' However, recent developments in Taiwan-Japan relations—ranging from controversies over ministerial transit, communication breakdowns at high levels, to administrative mismanagement—reveal a troubling trend: Taiwan is trapped in a lopsided dynamic of 'giving without receiving.' More alarmingly, to maintain the facade of friendly ties, Taiwan appears to be continuously sacrificing its substantive national interests and strategic role in the region.

Recently, controversy arose over Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (Lin Jia-long) reportedly being cold-shouldered during a transit stop in Japan en route to an allied nation, even forced to stay overnight at the airport. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister Lin quickly clarified this was a routine arrangement to accommodate an early-morning chartered flight, the fact that this incident sparked widespread public outcry was no coincidence. It reignited public anxiety over Taiwan's long-standing 'distorted and unequal' status in international diplomacy.

Minister Lin's cool reception was not an isolated incident. Earlier reports indicated that President Lai Qing-de's letters to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were repeatedly 'read but not replied to.' From transit disputes to silent treatment, these incidents point to a core issue: Taiwan's diplomatic strategy toward Japan has become overly accommodating, forfeiting its negotiating leverage and national dignity.

This diplomatic downturn was significantly triggered by Executive Yuan President Cho Jung-tai's hasty and poorly strategized visit to Japan earlier this year. Cho's high-profile promotion of his trip as a 'baseball-watching' tour—ostensibly a backdoor 'baseball diplomacy' aimed at gaining domestic political capital—backfired. Diplomacy relies on subtlety, discretion, and trust. Using diplomatic engagements as tools for domestic propaganda, without proper coordination, violated Japan's expectations and was criticized as exploiting Japanese goodwill, severely damaging the fragile trust painstakingly built between high-level officials. Once the administration disrupted the established rhythm of bilateral relations, the only recourse left was further concessions and sacrifices to 'repair' ties.

The most direct cost has been Taiwan's marginalization in regional cooperation and the erosion of its strategic interests. Amid rising Indo-Pacific tensions, Japan has deepened defense, maritime security, and economic partnerships with neighboring countries like the Philippines. Yet Taiwan, positioned at the critical first island chain, has been repeatedly 'erased' from these substantive multilateral frameworks. Rather than publicly voicing concern or seeking inclusion, the government has remained silent, even framing this silence as 'understanding toward allies.'

This 'sacrifice-for-security' diplomatic logic traps Taiwan in a vicious cycle. First, national dignity is eroded: when Taiwan treats the other side's concerns as its sole source of security, it signals a lack of alternatives, leading Japan to increasingly disregard Taiwan's dignity and demands. Second, negotiations over national interests become ineffective. Whether in trade talks, fishing rights negotiations, or regional security cooperation, Taiwan often offers concessions upfront, receiving in return only Japan's routine verbal statements 'concerning peace in the Taiwan Strait.' A diplomacy of unilateral giving without reciprocal returns will ultimately deplete Taiwan's strategic value.

'Diplomacy cannot be based on the other side's benevolence, nor on one-sided emotional investment.' While Taiwan and Japan share deep people-to-people ties and common regional interests, public sentiment cannot replace the cold calculus of national interest. With the Executive Yuan's clumsy diplomatic maneuvers disrupting relations, and the ruling authorities choosing to appease Japan through further sacrifices and acquiescence to marginalization, Taiwan is essentially 'drinking poison to quench thirst.'

The diplomatic team must immediately abandon the myth of 'one-sided appeasement.' Only by returning to the principles of 'dignity and reciprocity,' boldly asserting Taiwan's rightful role in international agreements, and steadfastly defending national interests at the negotiating table can Taiwan earn genuine respect from Japan and the international community. Only then can Taiwan-Japan relations return to a healthy, balanced, and equal footing.

*Author is a former legislative assistant.