The Legislative Yuan

Press Release

May 4, 2023

President You meets Japan’s LDP Youth Division delegation

You Si-kun: Grateful to the LDP Youth Division for including former Prime Minister Abe’s wish in policy guideline to deepen Taiwan-Japan cooperation

Accompanied by Legislators Chiu Yi-ying, Cho Tien-lin, Hung Mong-kai, Chiu Chen-yuan, Chen Jiau-hua, Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Secretariat Kung Ping-chieh, President You Si-kun met Japan’s LDP Youth Division delegation on the afternoon of May 4.

In his remarks, President You first of all welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Legislative Yuan. He said that this marked the third time to meet Director Sukuki and House of Representatives Member Sato and second time with House of Representative Members Nakasone and Nishino. He was pleased to meet all new friends and especially prepare bubble tea in honor of the delegation. He recalled the first time to drink bubble tea was in Tokyo. It took him to line up for half an hour to buy one. He teased the delegation members that they could save 30 minutes to enjoy one.

President You continued to say that Japan is one of the favorite destinations of tourism for the people of Taiwan. He himself visited Japan 23 times. He respected the spirit of Japan’s constitutionalism and implementation, making it first in Asia. LDP Youth Bureau is the cradle of statemen, with five prime ministers. He praised that the Bureau continued to cultivate new political rising stars, who become the strong pillars of LDP. He extended a sincere appreciation in particular for the policy guideline released this year, continuing the wish of former Prime Minister Abe and including its initiative of “A Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan” to continue to make efforts for regional peace and stability.

President You shared his special bond with Japan on the important occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council. His hometown Yilan, and Japan’s westernmost point of Japan’s territory Yonaguni are only 111 kilometers apart. Last year, he especially invited Chairman Furuya Keiji to Dongao to have a distant look of that island to witness the close relations between two countries, a geographic bond of a Taiwan contingency is a contingency of Japan. He said that before 1945, Taiwan had close contact with Yonaguni, where there was a population of more than 17,000. The close contacts between the two peoples can be found from Matsuda Yoshitaka’s works include Yaeyama no Taiwanjin (Yaeyama’s Taiwanese People) and Yonaguni Taiwan oraiki (Records of Travels Between Yonaguni and Taiwan).

President You stated that the two peoples of Taiwan and Japan has interdependence and share values of freedom, democracy and human rights. He hoped that in the future Suao and Yonaguni could have direct sea transport to encourage annual two million Japanese tourists to Taiwan to spend an extra day in Yonaguni to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the westernmost point of Japan’s territory to promote closer relations and Yonaguni’s economic development. He believed it would be helpful for promoting Taiwan’s tourism to attract more Japanese tourists to Taiwan. It would be a significant incentive. He also shared the photos of Yonaguni with the delegation.

President You continued to state that to realize his promise to Chairman Furuya, he had started to arrange the boat trip to Yonaguni. If possible, it would be realized in June. He invited the delegation members to join the rank. He also mentioned that Taiwan is a nostalgic place. For example, the Legislative Yuan building was built during the Japanese colonial period, showing Taiwan’s strong bond with Japan. He concluded his remarks by expressing his warm welcome to the delegation once again. He sincerely thanked the LDP Youth Bureau for its staunch support to Taiwan in the international arena.

In his remarks Director Suzuki first of all thanked President You and legislators for their time to meet with them. He stated that the delegation arrived in Taiwan last night and started to have a tight schedule of visiting programs early this morning. When the delegation members saw the pearl bubble tea from President You, they were all have smiling faces. He continued to state that he was grateful for President You’s condolences to the tragic death of former Prime Minister Abe by visiting the LDP headquarters and signed his name. He hoped to continue to deepen cordial relations built by former Prime Minister Abe. He also mentioned about Russian aggression on Ukraine. As the international community faces daunting challenges, Indo-Pacific peace is the key to global peace. He concluded his remarks by responding to President You’s trip to Yunakuni by boat. If the members of the LDP Youth Bureau, the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors are available, they would welcome the visit of President You on the other side of Yonaguni. He hoped to see Taiwan-Japan exchanges will be father enhanced.

Both sides exchanged views on issues of Taiwan-Japan cooperation, cross-Strait relations, parliamentary diplomacy. The meeting concluded at 4:35p.m. after mutual exchange of gifts and group photos. (E)

Note: Delegation members

1. Suzuki Norijazu, member of the Japanese House of Representatives and director of the Youth Division of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

2. Sato Kei , House of Councilors Member

3. Nakasone Yasutaka, member of the Japanese House of Representatives

4. Nishino Daisuke, member of the Japanese House of Representatives

5. Yamaguchi Susumu, House of Councilors Member .

6. Aso Masahiro, National President of Junior Chamber International Japan

8. Masahiro Toguchi, delegation member

9. Takano Wasui, delegation member

10. Makida Masahiko, delegation member

11.Fukada Nori, delegation member