TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese citizens living in Japan responded to a recall initiative aimed at opposition lawmakers stating deep concern for Taiwan's democracy.
The All Japan Taiwanese Union (全日本台灣連合會), WASABI Taiwan Association, and the Japan-Taiwan Youth Association (日台灣青年團) issued a joint statement on Monday stating, "even though we are far away in Japan, we are still with Taiwan," noting country's most valuable assets are democracy and freedom.
The joint statement came as a coalition of citizen groups in Taiwan took advantage of the first day of work following the Lunar New Year holiday to file the petition signatures with the Central Election Commission, initiating the first stage of the recall process for 19 KMT legislators and one suspended TPP mayor, per CNA.
Taiwanese living in Japan are worried Taiwan's democracy is coming under threat from internal and external forces. The joint statement said that throughout history Taiwanese people have demonstrated resilience and unity in times of crisis and safeguarded democracy and freedom.
"Today, facing new challenges, we stand up again and appeal to all those who care about Taiwan's future: Taiwan's future should be decided by the Taiwanese people. We must recognize internal and external threats and ensure that democracy and the rule of law are not eroded.”
The joint statement said that the nation's democracy cannot be sacrificed by a few politicians. “We need more young people to participate in public affairs, speak out, and take action to let the world hear Taiwan’s voice.”
The coalition of Taiwanese living in Japan also said that the recall action is an important opportunity for Taiwanese to use legal procedures to recall legislators who have harmed national interests and undermined the democratic system. It called on all Taiwanese to stand up and exercise their voting rights to make this recall action an important turning point in the country's history.
The statement added that the current inappropriate behavior of KMT and TPP legislators is an abuse of power through either freezing or cutting government budgets, endangering national defense capabilities, and expanding the power of opposition parties led to this comprehensive recall movement.
