Ex-Taiwan Pres. Lee Planning to Visit Okinawa in Late June

May 28, 2018

Taipei- Former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui is planning to visit the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa in late June, it has been learned.

If realized, the Japan visit will be Lee's ninth since he retired as head of Taiwan in 2000.

According to an aide to him, Lee is considering visiting Okinawa from June 22 to 26 at the invitation of a Japan-Taiwan friendship association in Naha, the capital of Okinawa. He last visited Okinawa in summer 2016.

Many Taiwanese people died in the Battle of Okinawa, a fierce ground battle that took place between Japan and the U.S.-led allied forces in the late stage of World War II.

Lee, 95, is slated to give a speech at a ceremony to unveil a monument to commemorate the Taiwanese war dead, which will be held by the association at Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, Okinawa, on June 24.

Other than the event, his schedule has yet to be decided, according to the aide.

Due to his old age, a final decision on whether Lee will make the Okinawa visit will be made based on his health condition, the aide said. Jiji Press