"Need for 50 million doesn't mean donations exist!" Yatabe Akio refuses to reconcile with Guo Zhengliang: "Great harm to me and the think tank"

Following an attack on Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank CEO Yatabe Akio by a Chinese national, Liao Gangfa, former legislator Guo Zhengliang commented in a livestream on Yatabe’s nationality, academic background, media career, and the think tank’s funding sources. Guo claimed that pro-Taiwan donors had raised NT$500 million (approximately USD 16 million) for the organization. Although Guo later admitted the statement was inaccurate, issued apologies, and removed the video, Yatabe has decided to pursue legal action.

In an interview with "After Work Han Talks," Yatabe explained that while he has long worked in media and typically tolerates criticism, this incident crossed the line by directly implicating the think tank’s financial integrity and his professional credibility—going beyond fair commentary and causing tangible harm to both his reputation and the institution’s.

Yatabe emphasized that Guo’s claim stemmed from a misunderstanding: seeing a projected budget need of NT$500 million, Guo incorrectly assumed it meant the funds had already been donated by pro-independence or pro-Taiwan benefactors. "Saying we need 500 million is completely different from saying someone has donated 500 million," Yatabe stressed. He warned that such misinformation could make past supporters feel deceived, especially since the think tank still relies on ticket sales and fundraising for events like concerts and international speaker visits.

"This is a serious accusation and has caused significant damage to me and our think tank," he stated.

Yatabe also criticized Guo’s follow-up response as evasive. Guo attributed his sources to Wikipedia, "pro-Taiwan elders," and scholars familiar with Japanese media but failed to disclose how he verified the claims. Additionally, the original video was not promptly taken down after the apology. Yatabe believes this lack of accountability could allow others to falsely claim the allegations were evidence-based. "I believe it’s essential to clarify this matter fully and let the judiciary make a fair judgment," he said.

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