Taiwan Takes Out Ad Mourning Abe on Sankei News 台企業.團體聯名 日產經新聞登廣告悼安倍

The shooting targeting Japan's former prime minister Shinzao Abe continues to spark controversy here in Taiwan, with Taiwan's representative to Japan Frank Hsieh being criticized for not attending Mr. Abe's funeral.

The title reads "On behalf of Taiwanese as a whole, we wish to express our respects and gratitude to the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe." A full-page advertisement was run on Japan's Sankei News on the 15th, stating that Abe is the most courageous Japanese leader to lead the country towards greatness and a true friend to Taiwan. The Taiwan Friends of Abe Association launched an advertising fundraising campaign, which originally targeted 65 companies. The response exceeded expectations. In the end, 175 Taiwanese companies, groups, and individuals jointly signed the ad, and many anonymous donations were made.

Akio Yaita, Taipei Branch Director, Sankei News: “The response to this ad on the Japanese Internet today is very good. Everyone can feel the Taiwanese warmth and friendship with Japan. I feel like this kind of activity can sustain Abe's influence and policy direction.”

The remaining funds after purchasing the advertisement will be used by the Taiwan Friends of Abe Association to set up a scholarship for Japanese youths studying in Taiwan to foster and continue the friendship between the two countries. Taiwan's Vice President William Lai traveled to Japan to attend Abe's funeral, which was regarded as a diplomatic breakthrough. In an interview with online media, former national policy adviser Chin Mei-ling said that if she hadn't met Lai at the door by chance, no one would've brought him into the venue. She was upset and criticized Taiwan's representative to Japan Frank Hsieh for being absent due to a conflicting schedule.

Tsui Ching-lin, Deputy Spokesperson, Foreign Affairs Ministry: “We will not comment on personal opinions. The reports are not accurate.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted media reports. People familiar with the matter pointed out that Hsieh was not invited to the Abe family ceremony and therefore did not attend. Chin's criticism was not in line with the facts. The Japanese government plans to hold a state funeral for Abe in the fall. KMT Chairperson Eric Chu plans to visit Japan in August and attend the state funeral. His decision once again sparked differences of opinion within the KMT. 

標題寫下「敬悼感謝安倍晉三前首相，台灣人有志一同」，日本產經新聞15日刊登全版廣告，註明安倍是日本邁向偉大國家、最勇敢的領導者，也是台灣有事，就是日本有事訴求的真正朋友。由台灣安倍之友會發起廣告募款活動，原本預定65家就可達成，反應超乎預期，最後有175家台灣企業、團體及個人聯名，還有許多不具名捐款。

產經新聞台北支局長矢板明夫說：「登上這個廣告之後確實是，今天日本網上的反應是非常好的。大家覺得這個是感受到，台灣人的溫暖和台灣人對日本的友情。我覺得像這種活動的話，能持續安倍的影響力和安倍的路線。」

購買廣告後剩餘的款項，台灣安倍之友會將會用在獎學金，提供給來台的日本青年，延續台日友誼。這次安倍遇刺，副總統賴清德前往日本參加家祭，被視為外交突破。不過前國策顧問金美齡接受電子媒體訪問時卻表示，如果不是她在門口巧遇賴清德，可能沒人可帶他入場，也不滿駐日代表謝長廷另有行程缺席，沒在做事。

外交部副發言人崔靜麟回應：「不會對個人意見發表評論，相關報導並不確實。」

外交部反駁媒體報導，知情人士則指出，謝長廷沒有受邀安倍家祭因此才沒有出席，金美齡的批評不符事實。至於日本政府打算秋季為安倍舉行國葬，國民黨主席朱立倫研擬8月訪日並參加葬禮，再度引發藍營內部意見分歧。