The (), formerly known as Interchange Association, is an organization that represents the interests of Japan in Taiwan. In 2017, the current name was adopted. Its counterpart in Japan is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, formerly the Tokyo Office of the Association of East Asian Relations (1972–1992).
The Association has two offices in Taipei and Kaohsiung. The Taipei office, located at 28 Ching Cheng Street, functions as the de facto embassy in Taiwan and houses the Japanese Cultural Center. The Kaohsiung office similarly functions as a de facto consulate-general.The International Law of Recognition and the Status of the Republic of China, Hungdah Chiu in The United States and the Republic of China: Democratic Friends, Strategic Allies, and Economic Partners, Steven W. Mosher, Transaction Publishers, 1992, page 24 The headquarters in Tokyo works to connect the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taipei office.
History
The establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1972 required termination of diplomatic relations with the Republic of China, and abrogation of the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty.
The Association was established in the same year, and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Japan. It operated from the premises of the former Japanese Embassy.Diplomatic Ambiguity Looms In Taiwan Links, New York Times News Service, The Times-News, December 21, 1978, page 12 Its staff enjoy some diplomatic privileges as well as limited diplomatic immunity.
The arrangements under which Japan maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan became known as the "Japanese formula".The Japanese Formula, New York Times News Service, The Times-News, April 11, 1977, page 9 This was adopted by other countries, notably the United States in 1979.
Following the renaming of the Association in 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China expressed its opposition to the new name.
See also Japan–Taiwan relations List of diplomatic missions of Japan
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External links