Editing Lee Teng-hui (section)

== Post-presidency ==
{{Taiwan independence movement|People}}
[[File:Former Residence of Lee Teng-hui in Cuishan Zhuang 01 20250304.jpg|thumb|Cuishan Zhuang, Lee Teng-hui's former residence in Taipei.]]
Since resigning the chairmanship of the KMT, Lee stated a number of political positions and ideas which he did not mention while he was president, but which he appeared to have privately maintained. After Lee endorsed the candidates of the newly formed [[Pan-Green Coalition|Pan-Green]] [[Taiwan Solidarity Union]], a party established by a number of his KMT allies, Lee was expelled from the KMT on 21 September 2001.<ref>{{cite news|title=Taiwan's KMT expels former president|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1556562.stm|access-date=1 June 2016|agency=BBC|date=21 September 2001|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612152546/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1556562.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lee publicly supported the Name Rectification Campaigns in Taiwan and proposed changing the name of the country from the Republic of China to the [[Taiwan independence movement|Republic of Taiwan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lee urges 'Taiwan' name change|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2003/08/24/40574/Lee-urges.htm|access-date=19 February 2016|work=China Post|date=24 August 2003|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180241/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2003/08/24/40574/Lee-urges.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He generally opposed unlimited economic ties with the PRC, placing restrictions on Taiwanese wishing to invest in China.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1488551.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=31 July 2020 |date=13 August 2001 |title=Taiwan to free up China investment |archive-date=6 May 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040506031440/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1488551.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:2013 臺灣前總統李登輝訪問桃園弘化育幼院 Former President of TAIWAN Visited Orphanage.jpg|thumb|Lee visiting an orphanage in [[Dayuan District]], [[Taoyuan, Taiwan|Taoyuan City]] in 2013]]

After Chen Shui-bian succeeded Lee in the [[2000 Taiwanese presidential election|2000 election]], the two enjoyed a close relationship despite being from different political parties. Chen regularly asked Lee for advice during his first term in office. In Chen's 2001 book,<!-- 世紀首航: 政黨輪替500天的沉思 (translation needed)--> he called Lee the "Father of Taiwanese Democracy" and also named himself the "Son of Taiwan" with respect to Lee. However, the two's relationship began to worsen when Lee questioned Chen's reform of the fisheries branch of the [[Council of Agriculture]]. Though Lee was present in the [[228 Hand-in-Hand rally]] orchestrated by the Pan-Green Coalition before the [[2004 Taiwanese presidential election|2004 election]], the two's relationship broke apart after Chen asked James Soong to be the [[President of the Executive Yuan]] in 2005, which Lee disagreed with. Lee also publicly criticized Chen in 2006 by calling him incapable and corrupt.<ref>{{cite news |author1=張文馨 |title=政壇恩怨／李登輝、陳水扁從水乳交融 到水火不容 |url=https://udn.com/news/story/121543/4738624 |access-date=31 July 2020 |agency=[[United Daily News]] |date=30 July 2020 |language=zh-tw |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803171917/https://udn.com/news/story/121543/4738624 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=許雅慧 |title=【李登輝病逝】與陳水扁情同父子曾鬧翻 愛恨糾葛12年 |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%9D%8E%E7%99%BB%E8%BC%9D%E7%97%85%E9%80%9D-%E8%88%87%E9%99%B3%E6%B0%B4%E6%89%81%E6%83%85%E5%90%8C%E7%88%B6%E5%AD%90%E6%9B%BE%E9%AC%A7%E7%BF%BB-%E6%84%9B%E6%81%A8%E7%B3%BE%E8%91%9B12%E5%B9%B4-121200211.html |access-date=31 July 2020 |agency=上報 |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=30 July 2020 |language=zh-tw |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128102445/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%9D%8E%E7%99%BB%E8%BC%9D%E7%97%85%E9%80%9D-%E8%88%87%E9%99%B3%E6%B0%B4%E6%89%81%E6%83%85%E5%90%8C%E7%88%B6%E5%AD%90%E6%9B%BE%E9%AC%A7%E7%BF%BB-%E6%84%9B%E6%81%A8%E7%B3%BE%E8%91%9B12%E5%B9%B4-121200211.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2007, Lee shocked the media when he revealed that he did not support [[Taiwan independence movement|Taiwanese independence]], when he was widely seen as the spiritual leader of the pro-independence movement.<ref>"[https://chinapost.nownews.com/20070202-132089 Lu 'astonished' by Lee's about-face on Taiwan independence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928183612/https://chinapost.nownews.com/20070202-132089 |date=28 September 2020 }}", ''China Post''</ref> Lee also said that he supported opening up trade and tourism with China, a position he had opposed before. Lee later explained that Taiwan already enjoys ''de facto'' independence and that political maneuvering over details of expressing it is counterproductive. He maintains that "Taiwan should seek 'normalization' by changing its name and amending its constitution."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070207073927/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/front/200725/101740.htm Chen shouldn't fear dealing with China: Lee] ''The [[China Post]]'' 31 May 2007.</ref>

=== Relations with Japan ===
Lee enjoyed a warm relationship with the [[Japanese people|people]] and [[culture of Japan]]. During the latter period of [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Japanese rule of Taiwan]] from 1895 to 1945, Lee attended a Japanese school where he was one of only four Taiwanese in a class of 23 pupils. At the time, due to the [[Kōminka movement (Taiwan)|Kominka]] movement, Taiwanese Han culture and language was greatly discouraged. Lee's father was a middle-level Japanese police aide; his elder brother died serving in the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] in [[World War II]] and is listed in the [[Yasukuni Shrine]] in Tokyo. During his youth, Lee had a Japanese name, {{jp||岩里政男|Iwasato Masao}}.<ref>{{cite news|author=Han Cheung|title=From Lee to Iwasato back to Lee|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2016/02/07/2003639001|access-date=8 February 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=7 February 2016|archive-date=7 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207090636/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2016/02/07/2003639001|url-status=live}}</ref> This name was suggested by Lee Teng-chin, combining [[Longyan]] ({{lang|zh-hant|龍岩}}), where their family originated, and their surname Lee ({{lang|zh-hant|李}}), which shares the same pronunciation with the character "{{lang|zh-hant|里}}" in both Japanese ''[[on'yomi]]'' and Chinese.<ref>{{cite news|author=Yang Shumei|title=李登輝1923-2020》警察之子，曾以日本兵身分參與二戰|url=https://www.storm.mg/article/2794246|access-date=4 November 2022|work=The Storm Media|date=30 July 2020|language=zh|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801031707/https://www.storm.mg/article/2794246|url-status=live}}</ref> Lee spoke fondly of his upbringing and his teachers and was welcomed in visits to Japan since leaving office. Lee [[Japanophilia|admired and enjoyed all things Japanese]] such as traditional Japanese values.<ref name="teng-hui">{{cite web |title=Tokyo governor tearful when paying respects to late Taiwan president |publisher=Taiwan News |author=Huang Tzu-ti |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3981828 |date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810060755/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3981828 |archive-date=10 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="beyond"/> This was the target of criticism from the [[Pan-Blue Coalition]]<ref name="beyond">{{cite news|author1=Takefumi Hayata|title=Japanese must look beyond Lee Teng-hui|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2001/05/28/0000087621|access-date=7 September 2014|newspaper=Taipei Times|date=28 May 2001|archive-date=8 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908063004/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2001/05/28/0000087621|url-status=live}}</ref> in Taiwan, as well as from China,<ref name=ATKastner>{{cite news|last1=Kastner|first1=Jens|title=Lee charges stir Taiwan|url=http://atimes.com/atimes/China/MG13Ad01.html|access-date=7 September 2014|work=Asia Times|date=13 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221344/http://atimes.com/atimes/China/MG13Ad01.html|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=unfit}}</ref> due to the [[Anti-Japanese sentiment in China|anti-Japanese sentiment]] formed during and after World War II. However, this animosity fell in later years, especially in Taiwan.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Thim|first1=Michal|last2=Matsuoka|first2=Misato|title=The Odd Couple: Japan & Taiwan's Unlikely Friendship|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/the-odd-couple-japan-taiwans-unlikely-friendship/|access-date=13 July 2015|work=The Diplomat|date=15 May 2014|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713220926/http://thediplomat.com/2014/05/the-odd-couple-japan-taiwans-unlikely-friendship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tsai|first1=Vivian|title=Taiwan And Japan: Two Nations With Long History Stuck In Limbo|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/taiwan-japan-two-nations-long-history-stuck-limbo-746532|access-date=13 July 2015|work=International Business Times|date=14 August 2012|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713231220/http://www.ibtimes.com/taiwan-japan-two-nations-long-history-stuck-limbo-746532|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1989, he received the highest distinction of the [[Scout Association of Japan]], the [[Golden Pheasant Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202040356/http://reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2016 }}</ref>

In August 2001, Lee said of Japanese Prime Minister [[Junichiro Koizumi]]'s controversial visit to [[Yasukuni Shrine]], "It is natural for a premier of a country to commemorate the souls of people who lost their lives for their country."<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Taiwan leader Lee backs Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni|work=Japan Times|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20051017a1.html}}</ref> In a May 2007 trip to Japan, Lee visited the shrine himself to pay tribute to his elder brother. Controversy rose because the shrine also enshrines World War II Class A criminals among the other soldiers.<ref>[http://www.chinapost.com.tw/front/111039.htm Lee to visit Japan's Yasukuni war shrine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121014938/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/front/111039.htm |date=21 January 2021 }} ''The [[China Post]]'' 31 May 2007.</ref>

During the [[2012 China anti-Japanese demonstrations]], on 13 September 2012, Lee remarked, "The [[Senkaku Islands]], no matter whether in the past, for now or in the future, certainly belong to Japan."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tiezzi|first1=Shannon|title=Taiwan's Former President Causes Controversy in Japan|url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/07/taiwans-former-president-causes-controversy-in-japan/|access-date=31 July 2015|work=The Diplomat|date=30 July 2015|archive-date=1 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801011109/http://thediplomat.com/2015/07/taiwans-former-president-causes-controversy-in-japan/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lee Teng-hui: Diaoyutais have always been Japan's|url=http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20120914000015&cid=1101|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150706052236/http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20120914000015&cid=1101|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 July 2015|access-date=31 July 2015|work=Want China Times|date=14 September 2012}}</ref> Ten years previously, he had stated, "The Senkaku Islands are the territory of Japan."<ref name=mofj20020927>{{cite web | title=Press Conference 27 September 2002 | date=24 August 2012 | access-date=4 October 2012 | url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/press/2002/9/0927.html | publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan]] | archive-date=21 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121014653/http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/press/2002/9/0927.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2014, Lee expressed support for a Japanese equivalent to the United States' [[Taiwan Relations Act]],<ref>{{cite news|title=China refutes Japanese version of Taiwan Relations Act|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-09/24/c_133668945.htm|access-date=13 July 2015|agency=Xinhua News Agency|date=24 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403173552/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-09/24/c_133668945.htm|archive-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> which was discussed in the [[National Diet|Japanese Diet]] in February,<ref>{{cite news|title=Japanese lawmakers' version of the Taiwan Relations Act|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/editorial/taiwan-issues/2014/02/27/401521/Japanese-lawmakers.htm|access-date=13 July 2015|work=China Post|date=27 February 2014|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713223047/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/editorial/taiwan-issues/2014/02/27/401521/Japanese-lawmakers.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tiezzi|first1=Shannon|title=To Counter Beijing, Japan Moves Closer to Taiwan|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/02/to-counter-beijing-japan-moves-closer-to-taiwan/|work=The Diplomat|date=20 February 2014|access-date=12 February 2021|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219121510/https://thediplomat.com/2014/02/to-counter-beijing-japan-moves-closer-to-taiwan/|url-status=live}}</ref> though the idea was first proposed by [[Chen Shui-bian]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ko|first1=Shu-ling|title=Chen urges Japanese 'Taiwan relations act'|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2006/10/31/2003334112|access-date=13 July 2015|work=Taipei Times|date=31 October 2006|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713230425/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2006/10/31/2003334112|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, Lee said in the Japanese magazine ''SAPIO'' published by [[Shogakukan]], "China spreads lies such as [[Nanjing Massacre]] to the world&nbsp;... Korea and China use invented history as their activity of propaganda for their country. [[Comfort women]] is the most remarkable example."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20140127_236180.html |script-title=ja:李登輝氏 ホラ話を広め軋轢を生む中国はリーダーになれない |website=news-postseven.com |date=27 January 2014 |language=ja |access-date=12 May 2016 |archive-date=17 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817162912/http://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20140127_236180.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, Lee said "The issue of Taiwanese comfort women is already solved" in the Japanese magazine ''Voice'' (published by PHP Institute). He was strongly criticized by [[Chen I-hsin]], spokesman of the [[Presidential Office Building (Republic of China)|Presidential Office]] as "not ignorant but cold-blooded". Chen added, "If Lee Teng-hui really thinks the issue of comfort women is solved, go to a theater and see ''Song of the Reed''."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1418700 |script-title=zh:慰安婦問題已解決？ 總統府批李登輝無知、冷血 |publisher=Liberty Times Net |date=20 August 2015 |language=zh-tw |access-date=12 May 2016 |archive-date=17 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817163446/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1418700 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:蔡英文總統與前總統李登輝握手致意.jpg|thumb|Lee meeting Taiwanese President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] in 2016]]

In July 2015, Lee visited Japan, and again stated that Japan has full sovereignty over the [[Senkaku Islands]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hou|first1=Elaine|title=Lee's remarks on Diaoyutais 'unacceptable': presidential spokesman|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201507270012.aspx|access-date=27 July 2015|agency=Central News Agency|date=24 July 2015|archive-date=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910205350/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201507270012.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=H.K.|last2=Lin|first2=Lillian|title=KMT chairman reaffirms Taiwan's sovereignty over Diaoyutais|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201507250010.aspx?q=lee%20teng%20hui|access-date=27 July 2015|agency=Central News Agency|date=25 July 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050404/http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201507250010.aspx?q=lee%20teng%20hui|url-status=live}}</ref> This was the first time Lee made remarks of this nature while in Japan. Members of the pan-Blue [[New Party (Taiwan)|New Party]] and Kuomintang accused him of treason. New Party leader [[Yok Mu-ming]] filed charges of treason against Lee,<ref>{{cite news|author=Shih Hsiu-chuan|title=New Party files charges against Lee|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/07/28/2003624070|access-date=28 July 2015|work=Taipei Times|date=28 July 2015|archive-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730014946/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/07/28/2003624070|url-status=live}}</ref> while the KMT's [[Lai Shyh-bao]] called a caucus meeting to seek revisions to the Act Governing Preferential Treatment for Retired Presidents and Vice Presidents, aimed at denying Lee privileges as a former president.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tai|first1=Ya-chen|last2=Liu|first2=Shi-yi|last3=Tung|first3=Ning|last4=Chao|first4=Ken|title=KMT lawmakers threaten reprisal over Lee's Diayoutai comment|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201507270012.aspx|access-date=27 July 2015|agency=Central News Agency|date=27 July 2015|archive-date=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910205350/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201507270012.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lee also stated, in 2015, that Taiwanese people were "subjects of Japan" and that Taiwan and Japan were "one country", sparking much criticism from both China and the Pan-Blue Coalition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shanghaiist.com/2015/08/23/former_taiwan_prez_calls_japan_motherland/|title=Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui refers to Japan as 'the motherland,' infuriates both sides of the strait|date=23 August 2015|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921015417/http://shanghaiist.com/2015/08/23/former_taiwan_prez_calls_japan_motherland/|url-status=live}}</ref>  In response to media requests for comment, then presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen said that “each generation and [[Demographics of Taiwan|ethnic group in Taiwan]] has lived a different history,” and that people should approach these differing experiences and interpretations with an attitude of understanding that will allow for learning from history, rather than allowing it to be used a tool for manipulating divisions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2015/08/23/2003625969|title=DPP's Tsai calls for end to muckraking over histories – Taipei Times|date=23 August 2015|website=www.taipeitimes.com|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219120523/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2015/08/23/2003625969|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lee published a book, ''Remaining Life: My Life Journey and the Road of Taiwan's Democracy'', in February 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lu|first1=Hsin-hui|last2=Chang|first2=S. C.|title=Former president calls for changing ROC into new republic|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201602160026.aspx|access-date=16 February 2016|agency=Central News Agency|date=16 February 2016|archive-date=17 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217092348/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201602160026.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Yu-fu|last2=Chung|first2=Jake|title=Lee Teng-hui book redefines 'status quo'|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2016/02/17/2003639546|access-date=17 February 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=17 February 2016|archive-date=17 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217014910/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2016/02/17/2003639546|url-status=live}}</ref> In it, he reasserted support for Japanese sovereignty claims over the Senkaku Islands, drawing complaints from the ROC Presidential Office,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hsieh|first1=Chia-chen|last2=Kao|first2=Evelyn|title=Presidential Office reaffirms ROC sovereignty over Diaoyutais|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201602170009.aspx?q=Lee%20teng%20hui|access-date=18 February 2016|agency=Central News Agency|date=17 February 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308082453/http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201602170009.aspx?q=Lee%20teng%20hui|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hsu|first1=Stacy|title=Presidential Office blasts Lee over Diaoyutais claim|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/02/18/2003639638|access-date=18 February 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=18 February 2016|archive-date=18 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218072843/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/02/18/2003639638|url-status=live}}</ref> President-elect [[Tsai Ing-wen]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yeh|first1=Sophia|last2=Chen|first2=Christie|title=Tsai refutes ex-president's controversial remarks on Diaoyutais|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201602170008.aspx?q=Lee%20teng%20hui|access-date=18 February 2016|agency=Central News Agency|date=17 February 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308082243/http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201602170008.aspx?q=Lee%20teng%20hui|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Yilan County, Taiwan|Yilan County]] fishermen.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chao-yu|last2=Wang|first2=Cheng-chung|last3=Kao|first3=Evelyn|title=Ex-president's Diaoyutis remarks draw ire of fishermen|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201602170020.aspx?q=Lee%20teng%20hui|access-date=18 February 2016|agency=Central News Agency|date=17 February 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308082128/http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201602170020.aspx?q=Lee%20teng%20hui|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 22 June 2018, he visited Japan for the final time in his life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3464910|title=Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui slams China at Japan event|last=Strong|first=Matthew|website=Taiwan News|date=23 June 2018|access-date=24 June 2018|archive-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624150308/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3464910|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Controversies and indictment ===
On 30 June 2011, Lee, along with former KMT financier Liu Tai-ying were indicted on graft and money-laundering charges and accused of embezzling US$7.79&nbsp;million in public funds.<ref>[http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2011/07/01/308215/Ex-President-Lee.htm "Ex-President Lee Teng-hui indicted"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704005928/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2011/07/01/308215/Ex-President-Lee.htm |date=4 July 2011 }} ''[[China Post]]'' 1 July 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chao|first1=Vincent Y.|title=Indictment against Lee shocks pan-green camp|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/07/01/2003507121|access-date=7 September 2014|newspaper=Taipei Times|date=1 July 2011|archive-date=8 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908022419/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/07/01/2003507121|url-status=live}}</ref> He was acquitted by the Taipei District Court on 15 November 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/11/16/2003576979 |title=Court rules in favor of Lee Teng-hui in embezzlement case |author=Chang, Rich |date=16 November 2013 |work=Taipei Times |access-date=10 August 2014 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211438/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/11/16/2003576979 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prosecutors appealed the ruling,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://udn.com/NEWS/NATIONAL/NAT1/8794601.shtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140810150732/http://udn.com/NEWS/NATIONAL/NAT1/8794601.shtml |archive-date=10 August 2014 |script-title=zh:國安密帳案 下月20日宣判 |trans-title=Ruling on 20th of Next Month in National Security Secret Account Case |author=鄧桂芬 |date=10 July 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=10 August 2014 }}</ref> but on 20 August 2014, Lee was cleared of the charges again.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yang|first1=Kuo Wen|last2=Chen|first2=Hui-ping|last3=Pan|first3=Jason|title=Lee cleared of embezzlement, again|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/08/21/2003597902|access-date=21 August 2014|newspaper=Taipei Times|date=21 August 2014|archive-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710163459/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/08/21/2003597902|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Liu|first1=Shih-yi|last2=Yeh|first2=Sophia|last3=Hsu|first3=Elizabeth|title=Ex-president Lee found not guilty of corruption in retrial|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201408200041.aspx|access-date=20 August 2014|agency=Central News Agency|date=20 August 2014|archive-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821104547/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201408200041.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>