Taiwan Book Fair in Japan Highlights Gender Culture and Equality

The Taiwan Book Fair in Japan commenced on Monday, showcasing the theme “Taiwan’s Gender Culture.” This annual event, organized by the Ministry of Culture’s Taiwan Cultural Center in Tokyo in collaboration with the Japanese bookstore chain Books Kinokuniya, marks its fourth consecutive year, featuring an unprecedented participation of 38 Kinokuniya branches.

The opening ceremony took place at Kinokuniya’s flagship store located in Tokyo’s Shinjuku District. During the event, Lee Yi-yang, Representative to Japan, highlighted Taiwan’s historic achievement as the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. He referenced the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s 2023 Social Institutions and Gender Index, noting that Taiwan ranks sixth globally and first in Asia for gender equality.

Lee attributed this success to the collaborative efforts of the public and the government’s sustained commitment to advancing gender equity policies. He remarked, “Up to 32 percent of female candidates were elected to the Japanese House of Councilors this year, showing that Japan continues to make progress toward gender equality.” He also pointed to the recent election of Sanae Takaichi as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), suggesting that Japan may soon see its first female prime minister.

Japanese Representative Keiji Furuya, who chairs the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, expressed admiration for Taiwan’s publishing sector, particularly its vibrant comic industry. He noted his visit to the National Taiwan Museum of Comics in Taichung, a site historically significant as a former prison during Japanese colonial rule. Furuya emphasized that Taiwan’s experience could provide valuable insights as Japan works towards establishing its own national comic center in Tokyo’s Harajuku District.

In a statement during the ceremony, Masashi Takai, chairman and president of Kinokuniya, underscored the role of bookstores as cultural hubs where people can engage with diverse ideas. He noted the increasing importance of Taiwan-Japan relations across various sectors, emphasizing the need for ongoing bilateral cultural exchanges. Takai affirmed that with the growing connections in business and tourism, Kinokuniya would continue to facilitate deeper Taiwan-Japan relations through the book fair.

Miwako Akamatsu, representing SNET Taiwan, pointed out that Japan publishes over 100 books annually focused on Taiwan, many of which delve into gender-related topics. She stated that Taiwan leads Japan in awareness and practices regarding gender equity and expressed hope that the book fair would enhance mutual understanding of gender and cultural issues between the two societies.

The Taiwan Book Fair not only serves as a platform to promote Taiwanese literature but also fosters discussions on gender culture and equality, reflecting the evolving social landscapes of both Taiwan and Japan. The event underscores the importance of collaboration and dialogue in addressing contemporary issues related to gender and culture.