Creation of the AssociationSince the government of the Republic of China and Japan severed their diplomatic relations in 1972, non-governmental agencies were established to handle the matters concerning the interests of the two countries. While the Japanese formed the Interchange Association (ICA), a corporate institute under Japanese law, the Republic of China created the Association of East Asian Relations (AEAR), which is the charter approved by the Ministry of the Interior as ICA`s counterpart to maintain substantive relations. These two agencies have functioned as the channel of negotiation and coordination between the two countries. On December 26 of the same year, the AEAR and the ICA concluded an agreement for allowing both parties to establish their respective liaison offices in the territory of the other country. Following the provisions of this agreement, the AEAR has set up liaison offices in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. In 1979, a branch of the Tokyo Office was also set up in Yokohama,Naha and Sapporo.Introduction to the Organization and Responsibilities of the Association of East Asia Relations1) The organization has 13 directors who elect one chairman, and 5 supervisors who elect one General Supervisor.2) The organization has a Secretary General who is responsible for daily operations.Under the Secretary General there are 4 Sections--Secretariat, Economy, Culture &Education and Information and 2 Vice Secretaries General who assist the Secretary General with daily operations.3) The organization is under the direct command of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All correspondence, report, information and suggestions are sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly. All economic and trading matters and administration reports are sent to the Ministry of Foreign affairs and the Ministry of Economic Affairs for review.4) The main duties of the organization are to conduct Japan and to research and analyze the politics, economics and cultural of Japan. As for matters concerning economics, trading, culture, communications, overseas Chinese and consular services, they must be handled by standard procedure. 5) The staffs of the organization are borrowed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. If necessary, the organization may recruit its own staff.The Duties of the SectionsSecretariat Section (Department)1) Researching the political situation of Japan.2) Communicating and liaising with the Japanese ICA regarding overseas Chinese in Japan and overseas Japanese in Taiwan.3) Dealing with general affairs and expenditures of the organization.4) Responsible for the personnel and accounting of the organization.5) Administrati1ng general secretarial work and official dispatches of the organization.6) Hosting official visitors from Japan.Economy Section (Department)1) Dealing with matters relating to the study of economic and trading affairs of Japan.2) Communicating and liaising with the Japan`s ICA on economic affairs.3) Contacting government`s departments on above-said economic matters.4) Assisting in hosting official visitors from Japan.Culture and Education Section (Department)1) Research and handling affairs about culture, education and publicity concerningJapan.2) Communicating and liaising with the Japan`s ICA on related issues.3) Liaising with friendship groups, eg., Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association, and individuals.4) Contacting government`s departments on above-said matters.5) Assisting in hosting official visitors from Japan.Information Section (Department)1) Collecting, classifying, and analyzing various information about Japanese politics, economics and culture, etc.2) Distributing classified information to other sections of the organization for research.3) Archiving various information.