November 17th, 2023
Hello everyone in Taiwan!
My name is Kazuyuki KATAYAMA. As of today, I have assumed the role of Chief Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office.
Before my assignment in Taiwan, I have been working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for over 40 years. During that time, my previous overseas assignments include assignments and studying in China for five times, assignments and studying in the U.S. for three times as well as once each in Belgium and Malaysia. For the past three years, I served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Peru. I feel very fortunate and happy to have the opportunity to be able to work in Taiwan, which is one of the most pro-Japan places on earth and has a close and deep relationship with Japan.
Although this is my first time to work in Taiwan, I have been here on business and sightseeing trips for several times. However, my last visit to Taiwan was in 2006, so I would like to catch up on my work as much as I can.
Looking back, Taiwan’s first-ever substantive opposition party was established when I was studying at a graduate school in the U.S. in 1986 – 1987. The full-blown democratization of Taiwan has since begun. Inspired by that, I wrote my Master’s thesis on the democratization of Taiwan under the late Harvard professor Ezra Vogel, a leading authority on East Asian studies. It has been more than 35 years ago since then, and I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself being assigned to work in Taiwan.
During my tenure, I would like to work hard on the following three missions. The first mission is to support Japanese people including protecting the safety of the Japanese residents as well as Japanese tourists and promoting the economic activities of Japanese businesses. The second mission is to directly interact with as many Taiwanese people as possible and to increase “fans of Japan.” The third one is to learn about the society, the culture and the people of Taiwan, and to gain a deeper and broader understanding of Taiwan. I would really like to have your warm support. Thank you very much.
Kazuyuki KATAYAMA
Chief Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office