2015 年 51 巻 2 号 p. 1-13
On September 29, 1972, as the result of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the PRC, the ROC shut down its Embassy and a Consular Office in Tokyo, and moreover, broke off diplomatic relations with Japan. However, the Premier of the PRC, Zhou Enlai accepted what amounted to a substantive relationship between Japan and the ROC. The Japanese and -ROC governments, in order to maintain economic and cultural exchange, established a civilian office in December 1972, and subsequently both sides concluded an "Agreement on the Establishment of Offices between the Interchange Association and Association of East Asian Relations". Japan and ROC referred to the "Sino-Japan Establishment of a Trade Liaison Office Agreement" and the "Vienna Convention on Consular Relations", and prepared an "Agreement on the Establishment of Offices between Interchange Association and Association of East Asian Relations". The Interchange Association and Association of East Asian Relations are not only nominally private institutions; they, have not legal basis, though they do in fact enjoy some diplomatic privileges. Therefore both sides play a more important role than the traditional consular office.