Former defense chief Tokuichiro Tamazawa said Taiwan enjoys de facto independence, making its best policy for the moment to maintain the status quo.
"Taiwan is already an independent, democratic and free country," Tamazawa said. "To protect your country, it would be a good idea to refrain from acting with undue haste."
Tamazawa proposed that Taiwan maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and "wait until the time is ripe," which he believes will eventually come, he said through a translator.