TOKYO, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso once again called Taiwan "a nation" during a parliamentary committee meeting here on Thursday morning, in gross violation of the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement.

    According to the Kyodo News Agency, Aso said Taiwan "has a considerably matured democracy, and its free market economy has penetrated economically, and it is also a nation under the rule of law. It is a country that shares values with Japan."

    He made the remarks in response to a question on Japan-Taiwan relations raised by Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Naoki Okada at a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee, Kyodo said.

    Immediately after the remark, however, Aso said, "I am speaking on the premise that the Japanese government recognizes that the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government," clarifying, "calling it (Taiwan) 'a region' would have been accurate."

    Talking about the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement signed in 1972, which stipulated that the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing China, Aso said the relations between Japan and Taiwan "should be maintained within the framework of the joint statement."

    Then, in reference to Taiwan, Aso again added, "I somehow called it 'a country'," in a contradictory way.

    On February 4, Aso attributed the currently high education standards of Taiwan to Japan's colonization during its militarism era and called Taiwan "a nation" during a speech in Fukuoka.

    International news media say Aso lacks the required basic political qualifications as a foreign minister because he frequently goes back on his own words. Enditem