At noon on July 28, Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣) hosted a luncheon for a delegation from Gifu Prefecture led by Japanese House of Representatives Member Furuya Keiji, Chair of the Japan-Taiwan Diet Members’ Consultative Council. Vice President Chiang was joined by DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-Ying and TPP Legislator Dr. Hung Yu-Hsiang, Vice Chairs of the Legislative Yuan’s Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association; KMT Legislator Huang Chien-Pin; Deputy Secretary-General Lin Yu-Hui of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Taipei Office Deputy Representative Mizobuchi Masashi; and others.
In his remarks, Vice President Chiang first extended a sincere welcome to Chair Furuya and his delegation on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and its President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜). He praised Chair Furuya for his long-standing support of Taiwan and his tireless work over the years to promote Taiwan-Japan exchanges, which have contributed significantly to bilateral relations. Vice President Chiang added that the visit felt especially meaningful and warmly familiar, as Chair Furuya had led a delegation from his home region of Tono in Gifu Prefecture to Taiwan. Gifu Prefecture, he noted, is among the top destinations for Taiwanese travelers to Japan, known for Mino ware, Shirakawa-go (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Hida beef, and many other attractions and specialties beloved by Taiwanese visitors.
Vice President Chiang further stated that people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and Japan remain close and vibrant. He highlighted that last year, visits by Taiwanese travelers to Japan exceeded 6.5 million, while visits by Japanese travelers to Taiwan approached 1.5 million, setting a new high for two-way travel. This reflects the deep friendship between the people of Taiwan and Japan and has further promoted cooperation in culture, industry, government, and other areas. Vice President Chiang also noted that bilateral trade between Taiwan and Japan reached US$84.8 billion last year. He added that as economic and trade ties continue to grow, the two sides also have considerable room to expand cooperation in semiconductor supply chains, high-tech industries, economic resilience, and other fields.
Vice President Chiang emphasized that the steady development of Taiwan-Japan relations rests on years of mutual trust and people-to-people exchanges. He noted that Chair Furuya has long played an active role in promoting Taiwan-Japan friendship. With the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council now renamed the Japan-Taiwan Diet Members’ Consultative Council, Vice President Chiang expressed special appreciation for Chair Furuya’s contributions over the years. He also said that the following month, he would lead a cross-party delegation from the Legislative Yuan to Japan to attend the 54th General Assembly of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU), to be held from August 24 to 26. He looked forward to reuniting with friends in the Japanese Diet and continuing to deepen the Taiwan-Japan partnership.
In his remarks, Chair Furuya thanked Vice President Chiang and the Legislative Yuan for their warm hospitality and said he looked forward to meeting him again during the APPU General Assembly. He noted that the delegation comprised around 50 members from several local governments in Gifu Prefecture and representatives from various sectors, adding that it marked the first organized delegation from Gifu Prefecture to visit Taiwan, making the trip especially meaningful.
Chair Furuya said the visit was mainly aimed at promoting Japan-Taiwan economic cooperation and local-level investment ties. He noted that Taiwan’s rapid economic development has brought challenges related to land, water resources, and energy, and that Gifu Prefecture boasts abundant resources and industrial strengths that make it an important potential partner for Taiwan. Chair Furuya also highlighted the industrial benefits generated by TSMC’s investment in Kumamoto and introduced major transportation infrastructure projects in Japan, including the development of maglev railways. He expressed hope that the two sides would continue to deepen industrial cooperation.
Turning to tourism, Chair Furuya said that although Japanese travel to Taiwan had not yet fully returned to pre-pandemic levels due in part to exchange rate factors, he would continue working to promote tourism exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. He also noted that Taiwan and Japan are both mature democracies, making continued cross-party exchanges among parliamentarians especially important. He expressed hope that the two sides would continue to deepen their partnership across areas including democracy, economic affairs, local cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
Vice President Chiang, the legislators in attendance, and the delegation then posed for a group photo and exchanged commemorative gifts. During the luncheon, the two sides also exchanged views on Japan’s rail infrastructure, AI applications, local and urban development, and other topics. The luncheon lasted approximately 70 minutes and concluded in a warm and cordial atmosphere. (2026/07/28)
