At noon of April 29, President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Dr. Johnny C. Chiang, Deputy Chairperson of the 11th Legislative Yuan Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association Legislator Hung Mong-kai, Deputy Chairperson Legislator Chiu Yi-ying, Legislators Wu Chun-Cheng, Liao Wei-hsiang, Ko Ju-chun, Chang Chih-lun, Yu Hao, and Chen Kuan-ting, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, Secretary-General Fan Chen-kuo from the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chief Representative Mr. Kazuyuki Katayama of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s Taipei Office, received and hosted a banquet for the delegation of 11 members from the Youth Division of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
President Han warmly welcomed the visiting delegation and posed for a group photo along with Vice President Chiang, the attending legislators, and Ambassador Kazuyuki Katayama. In his speech, President Han expressed sincere greetings to the delegation led by Director of the LDP Youth Division Suzuki Takako, noting that the LDP Youth Division is a significant cradle for Japan's political leaders. President Han highlighted that the 11th Legislative Yuan Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association newly established last week already has 80 members, comprising more than two-thirds of the total number of legislators. It includes deputy chairpersons from the three party caucuses, demonstrating the Legislature's cross-partisan commitment to Taiwan-Japan relations. In addition to the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association, the Legislative Yuan USA Caucus with 72 members is the second largest association in the Legislature, underscoring the extraordinary, close, and friendly Taiwan-Japan and Taiwan-US bilateral relations. The current Legislative Yuan does not have a single party with an outright majority. Legislators may have differing opinions on some domestic issues, occasionally leading to debates and confrontations. However, when it comes to issues of national importance, there is unanimous agreement and collective effort towards the advancement of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The unity and cooperation exemplify the essence of Taiwan's freedom and democracy.
President Han continued to state that the most important aspect of human interaction is sincerity. As long as our interactions with Japanese parliamentarians are based on mutual sincerity, they will naturally foster friendly relations and allow for continued and successful cooperation across various fields between Taiwan and Japan. At the beginning of this month (April), Taiwan experienced the strongest earthquake in 25 years, severely affecting Hualien. The Japanese government and various sectors of Japanese society generously donated or spontaneously raised funds for Taiwan. The Taiwanese government and people are deeply grateful for this kindness. The President also expressed special thanks to Ambassador Kazuyuki Katayama for his efforts and contributions to Taiwan-Japan relations since taking office last year. He reiterated that today, members of the Legislative Yuan across party lines are extending the warmest and most sincere welcome to the visiting Japanese parliamentarians.
The visiting Director of the LDP Youth Division, Suzuki Takako, first extended appreciation to President Han, Vice President Chiang, and the attending legislators for taking the time to receive the delegation during the legislative session. She mentioned that many of the attending legislators met with her in Tokyo last month (March). She feels honored to meet with President Han, Vice President Chiang, and the legislators again shortly after assuming her position. She also congratulated President Han on his new appointment and extended congratulations to the newly elected legislators. Director Suzuki noted that a by-election for three seats in the House of Representatives was held in Japan yesterday (April 28). Unfortunately, the LDP's results were not as favorable as expected, partly due to significant incidents of "election interference" during the process, which garnered considerable attention. Despite this, she emphasized that elections remain a crucial component of democratic systems. The deep friendship between Taiwan and Japan is rooted in democracy, and this is also the main reason why Taiwan and Japan have always been the best allies, frequently coming together in unity. Director Suzuki also expressed condolences for the victims of the Hualien earthquake on April 3 and expressed gratitude to the Taiwanese government and people for their prompt assistance following the earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula earlier this year. Additionally, Hajime Sasaki, LDP Youth Division Former Director and current House of Representatives member from Ishikawa Prefecture's Noto Peninsula, has entrusted Director Suzuki to convey his gratitude to President Han and the people of Taiwan.
After Director Suzuki concluded her address, President Han invited the distinguished guests present to join him for a luncheon.
During the luncheon, President Han, Vice President Chiang, attending legislators, and the delegation members engaged in extensive discussions and exchanged views on a wide range of topics including stability in the Taiwan Strait, security in the Indo-Pacific region, disaster response, democracy and freedom, political and economic development, and deepening bilateral parliamentary interactions. The meeting and luncheon lasted approximately one hour and thirty minutes, characterized by a warm and cordial atmosphere. Both parties concluded the event by exchanging commemorative gifts, marking a successful conclusion to the meeting.
