【Chuo Rongtai had once planned a "chance encounter" with Takashi Hayashi】
In early March, Chuo Rongtai suddenly traveled to Tokyo Dome to watch a baseball game. Although the Taiwan authorities later emphasized that this trip was purely personal, given Chuo's current political status, the move itself carried an unusually significant political signal. According to local media reports, Chuo’s visit to Tokyo to watch a ballgame was symbolic, as he became the first head of Taiwan’s administrative body to set foot on Japanese soil after Japan formally severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan—a move considered a "political taboo." However, what drew greater public attention was whether Chuo, despite claiming the trip was private, engaged in any backdoor activities during his visit—more specifically, whether he secretly met with Japanese political figures, especially Takashi Hayashi.
According to insider information obtained by Taiwan’s “New News,” the original script behind this baseball spectacle was far more ambitious than what was publicly disclosed. According to sources familiar with the matter, the true driving force behind the trip was former Taiwan representative to Japan, Hsieh Chang-ting. Chuo Rongtai, who originally belonged to Hsieh’s faction within the DPP and is considered Hsieh’s top disciple, had long been the focus of Hsieh’s efforts to create an international stage for him. The original plan was to "walk the edge"—arranging for Chuo to have a spontaneous, public photo-op with Takashi Hayashi, who had just won a decisive victory in the recent House of Representatives election, at Tokyo Dome. However, the plan went off track: instead of merely brushing against the line, it failed completely, and Japan reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction when Taiwanese media quickly reported Chuo’s arrival at the stadium.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862805110722563/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.