Letter to the Japanese Prime Minister    



April 28, 2012      

The Honorable Yoshihiko Noda
Prime Minister of Japan
Cabinet Secretariat
Tokyo 100 - 8968, Japan


Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

On April 1, 1945, American forces landed on Okinawa and launched the invasion of Okinawa. In this desperate time, Japan adopted following desperate measures to secure Taiwan as a response to this Okinawa Battle:
  1. Emperor Hirohito issued an Imperial Rescript, granting political rights to the inhabitants of Taiwan.


    • The Government of the Empire of Japan issued Law No. 34, authorizing the inhabitants of Taiwan to select five representatives to the House of Representatives through popular vote.

    • The Government of the Empire of Japan issued Royal Decree No. 193, authorizing the Governor-general of Taiwan to recommend three representatives to the House of Councillors.

  2. The Government of the Empire of Japan enforced the military conscription order over the inhabitants of Taiwan.
Historically, we know that the Government of the Empire of Japan enforced the military conscription order over the inhabitants of Okinawa in 1898, and the granting of political rights to the inhabitants of the Ryukyu Islands was successively completed between the years of 1912 to 1919.

By way of comparison, the Taiwan Civil Government would like to inquire of the Government of Japan,
  1. Isn't it true that the island of Formosa, together with all islands appertaining or belonging to the island of Formosa, and the Pescadores Group, as ceded by Emperor Kwang-Hsu of China to Emperor Meiji of Japan in perpetuity pursuant to Article 2 of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, entered into force on May 8, 1895, was incorporated into the national territory of Japan by the Government of Japan since April 1, 1945, according to the Law of Nations?


  2. Referring to Law No. 34, issued on the authority of the said Imperial Rescript, the unexecuted portions thereof have been allegedly abrogated according to Law No. 8 of August 20, 1946.

    3. As for Royal Decree No. 193, also issued on the authority of the said Imperial Rescript, although thoroughly executed, has been allegedly abrogated according to Decree #4 of May 3, 1947.

It is therefore important to fully clarify if the Imperial Rescript of April 1, 1945, issued by Emperor Hirohito is still valid to the people of Taiwan in the current era? Please advise.
Thank you.


Sincerely,


Roger C. S. Lin
SECRETARY GENERAL

TAIWAN CIVIL GOVERNMENT