First Sports Diplomacy in Legislative Yuan History: Initial Highlights of the 2024 Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Members Friendly Soccer Match
In response to an invitation from Japanese House of Representatives Member Seishirō Etō, Advisor of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Dr. Johnny C. Chiang, representing President Daniel K.Y. Han, led a delegation to participate in the first-ever Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Members Friendly Soccer Match in Ōita Prefecture, Japan, on August 3, 2024. The Taiwanese delegation comprised a cross-partisan group of 12 legislators, including KMT legislators Hung Mong-Kai, Yang Chiung-Ying, Chen Yu-Jen, Lo Chih-Chiang, and Huang Chien-Pin; DPP legislators Chuang Jui-Hsiung, Chiu Chih-Wei, Huang Shiou-Fang, and Lai Hui-Yuan; and Taiwan People's Party Legislator Chang Chi-Kai. Representative Seishirō Etō led a cross-party delegation of nine Japanese parliamentarians in the match, jointly creating a historic record as the first instance of parliamentary diplomacy conducted through a sports competition between Taiwan and Japan.
The Japanese side made a special arrangement for the friendly match to be held at the multi-purpose stadium of Resonac Dome Ōita in Ōita Prefecture, Japan, where the 2002 World Cup was held, adding significant meaning to the event. The match featured several segments, including warm-up drills, a kickoff ceremony, the playing of both national anthems, flag displays, the friendly match, and extra time, spanning approximately four hours. As the host, Representative Seishirō Etō warmly welcomed Vice President Chiang and his delegation. He noted that both Taiwan and Japan are Asian countries committed to safeguarding freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, and expressed his hope that this exchange would create a new chapter in the friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan. In his speech, Vice President Chiang sincerely thanked Representative Etō for the thoughtful arrangements. He emphasized that the sweat shed by both sides on the field would help nourish and deepen the friendship between the Taiwanese and Japanese legislatures. He also remarked that the true winner of the match would be the "friendship between Taiwan and Japan."
All members of the Legislative Yuan wore jerseys in "blue, green, and white," symbolizing the unity and friendliness among different parties. The teams demonstrated team spirit and fair play, with the final score being 5-9. Throughout the match, players from both sides gave their all on the field, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The cheers, laughter, and applause were constant, creating a new milestone in Taiwan-Japan parliamentary exchanges.
The friendly match was played using a 5-a-side format for 30 minutes. After the initial game, both sides, still eager to continue, played an additional match. This extended game involved randomly mixed teams consisting of Legislative Yuan members, Japanese parliamentarians, and members of the soccer team from Nippon Bunri University, playing a 11-a-side match with two halves of 15 minutes each. This arrangement effectively fostered harmonious cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.
The highlights of the Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Members Friendly Soccer Match have been officially released (see video link below). We hope that this match will serve as a starting point for future sports exchanges and parliamentary interactions between the two sides, further deepening the friendship and substantial bilateral relations between Taiwan and Japan.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUdDDaaiAu8
The Japanese side made a special arrangement for the friendly match to be held at the multi-purpose stadium of Resonac Dome Ōita in Ōita Prefecture, Japan, where the 2002 World Cup was held, adding significant meaning to the event. The match featured several segments, including warm-up drills, a kickoff ceremony, the playing of both national anthems, flag displays, the friendly match, and extra time, spanning approximately four hours. As the host, Representative Seishirō Etō warmly welcomed Vice President Chiang and his delegation. He noted that both Taiwan and Japan are Asian countries committed to safeguarding freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, and expressed his hope that this exchange would create a new chapter in the friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan. In his speech, Vice President Chiang sincerely thanked Representative Etō for the thoughtful arrangements. He emphasized that the sweat shed by both sides on the field would help nourish and deepen the friendship between the Taiwanese and Japanese legislatures. He also remarked that the true winner of the match would be the "friendship between Taiwan and Japan."
All members of the Legislative Yuan wore jerseys in "blue, green, and white," symbolizing the unity and friendliness among different parties. The teams demonstrated team spirit and fair play, with the final score being 5-9. Throughout the match, players from both sides gave their all on the field, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The cheers, laughter, and applause were constant, creating a new milestone in Taiwan-Japan parliamentary exchanges.
The friendly match was played using a 5-a-side format for 30 minutes. After the initial game, both sides, still eager to continue, played an additional match. This extended game involved randomly mixed teams consisting of Legislative Yuan members, Japanese parliamentarians, and members of the soccer team from Nippon Bunri University, playing a 11-a-side match with two halves of 15 minutes each. This arrangement effectively fostered harmonious cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.
The highlights of the Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Members Friendly Soccer Match have been officially released (see video link below). We hope that this match will serve as a starting point for future sports exchanges and parliamentary interactions between the two sides, further deepening the friendship and substantial bilateral relations between Taiwan and Japan.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUdDDaaiAu8