從李前總統訪日看日本外交決策過程

Japan's Foreign Policy Decision Making Process and President Lee Teng-hui's Visit to Japan

多年來，李前總統訪日問題，數度成為日「中」台三邊外交角力的議題。今（二○○一）年四月，此一問題，不僅在日本國內引起軒然大波，同時再度引發日「中」台三邊之外交攻防。盱衡政治情勢及考量人道立場，最後日方同意發給簽證，而李前總統亦於二十二日成行，並於二十六日返抵國門，完成所謂的「醫療之旅」。本文目的是以李前總統訪日問題為國際關係案例研究，從對外政策觀點，評析日本政策決定過程。探討之主要課題包括：為何單純的法律問題會演變成為複雜的政治問題；為何日本決策過程如此延宕費時；為何反對主力的日本外務省最後峰迴路轉，同意發給簽證；為何日本輿論罕見地一致支持李前總統訪日等等。

During the past few years, the former president of the Republic of China, President Lee Teng-hui, has repeatedly sparked diplomatic controversy amongst Japan, China, and Taiwan with his visits to Japan. This problem not only has caused a great disturbance in Japan, but also triggered a diplomatic war between these four nations earlier this April. Considering the political situation and based on humanitarian needs, the Japanese authorities finally issued Lee a visitor's visa. President Lee flew to Japan allegedly for medical care on April 22 and returned to Taiwan on April 26.The main goal of this article is to examine Lee's visit to Japan and to evaluate the process of political decision making from the perspective of diplomatic policy. This paper addresses important questions concerning Lee's visit to Japan. Why did this easy problem of law involve into a complex political issue? Why did Japan tak such a long time to make decision? Why did the most powerful opponent to Lee's visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, change her mind and approve his visa application? Why did Japanese public opinion support his visit to Japan?