Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny C. Chiang meets with the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council's National Day Congratulatory Delegation. Vice President Chiang: We wholeheartedly welcome Japanese Diet members to Taiwan to participate in our National Day celebrations, and look forward to working together to further deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship and partnership.
On the afternoon of October 10 at 2 PM, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny C. Chiang, accompanied by Vice Chairs of the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association Legislators Hung Mong-Kai, and Huang Shan-Shan, DPP Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting, Director of the Department of International Affairs Kevin C.F. Lin, Deputy Secretary-General Chen Chih-Jen of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office, met with a six-member delegation from the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council's National Day congratulatory delegation.
Vice President Chiang first welcomed the visiting guests on behalf of President Daniel K.Y. Han and the Legislative Yuan, stating that the frequent exchanges between the legislatures of Taiwan and Japan have led to increasingly close relations. He specifically mentioned the successful parliamentary diplomacy event that took place in August 2024, when he led a cross-party group of legislators to Oita Prefecture for a friendly soccer match with Japanese parliamentarians. Vice President Chiang specifically prepared Taichung's famous sun cakes to welcome the guests today. He expressed his hope to export the sun cakes, which have the unique characteristics of Central Taiwan, to Japan, following the successful model of Taiwan's red dragon fruit, which was exported to Japan for the first time in July this year, allowing more Japanese friends to enjoy them.
Vice President Chiang continued by stating that according to statistics from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) from January to July of this year, South Korea, China, and Taiwan ranked as the most prominent nationalities among travelers to Japan (3.55 million visitors). However, when ranking by the proportion of visitors to Japan relative to total population, Taiwan ranked first (approximately 15%), indicating that Japan is the preferred destination for Taiwanese travelers. Vice President Chiang added that with TSMC officially commencing operations at its factory in Kumamoto Prefecture in February this year and plans to build a second wafer fab by the end of the year, it is evident that there is unlimited potential for bilateral cooperation. Vice President Chiang further stated that Japan is a crucial member and key opinion leader of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and Taiwan and Japan are vital trade partners. He expressed his hope that the two sides can sign a free trade agreement and that Japan will continue to support Taiwan's accession to the CPTPP. He particularly appreciated the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council for establishing a CPTPP Research Group this June, which includes discussions on how to assist Taiwan's membership. He also noted that the Legislative Yuan set up the "Legislative Yuan Committee for Taiwan CPTPP Accession" in February of this year, looking forward to close exchanges between the parliaments of Taiwan and Japan on this issue, and hoping for continued backing from Japan for Taiwan.
Vice President Chiang expressed his deep appreciation to Japan for supporting Taiwan in securing the hosting rights for the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union (APPU) next year. He extended a sincere invitation to the Japanese legislators present to form a delegation and attend the grand event in Taiwan. He also hoped that Japan would continue to speak up for Taiwan on the international stage. In conclusion, Vice President Chiang once again expressed his gratitude to Head of Delegation Santō Akiko for leading the delegation of Japanese senators to Taiwan for the 2024 National Day celebrations. He praised Chairman Furuya Keiji of the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council for his contributions to strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations. Vice President Chiang also wished Japan success in the upcoming House of Representatives election and looked forward to further elevating Taiwan-Japan relations in the future.
Head of Delegation Santō Akiko, Member of the House of Councillors, expressed her gratitude to Vice President Chiang and the cross-party legislators for taking the time to offer a warm reception. She remarked on the frequent exchanges between Taiwanese and Japanese legislators, noting that seeing everyone felt as familiar as reuniting with old friends. It was a great honor for her to lead the delegation to participate in Taiwan's National Day celebrations. Given the deep-rooted friendship between Taiwan and Japan, she added that it was crucial to find time to participate in Taiwan's National Day celebration, regardless of the upcoming elections and political fluctuations in the Japanese House of Representatives. Senator Santō Akiko specifically highlighted the recent increase in natural disasters, noting that Taiwan is always among the first to extend assistance whenever Japan experiences calamities. She expressed her heartfelt wishes for those affected by Typhoon Krathon in Taiwan, hoping they can quickly return to a stable and peaceful life. She continued by stating that regardless of the changes in Japan's political landscape, the friendship between Taiwan and Japan will remain unchanged. She expressed her hope for the continued deepening of cooperation to maintain peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council's CPTPP Research Group will closely collaborate with the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan, and the Japanese National Diet will do its utmost to assist Taiwan. Additionally, as an advisor to the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council's Women Members Exchange Group, she noted the remarkable representation of women in Taiwan's political sphere and expressed a desire for more exchanges and learning with Taiwan to encourage greater participation of women in politics in Japan. Senator Santō Akiko concluded by stating that Taiwan and Japan are good partners who share universal values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. She expressed a commitment to continue working together to create a brighter future and extended her best wishes to Taiwan for its National Day and prosperous national development.
Both sides then engaged in an extensive exchange of views on various topics, including the developments in Japanese politics, the current state of Taiwan-Japan local government exchanges, the timing of next year's APPU, and cooperation in sports, tourism, cultural activities, and the film and television industry. Notably, Senator Umemura Mizuho spoke in Chinese, contributing to a warm and friendly atmosphere. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, concluding with both sides exchanging commemorative gifts and taking group photos to mark the occasion.
Vice President Chiang first welcomed the visiting guests on behalf of President Daniel K.Y. Han and the Legislative Yuan, stating that the frequent exchanges between the legislatures of Taiwan and Japan have led to increasingly close relations. He specifically mentioned the successful parliamentary diplomacy event that took place in August 2024, when he led a cross-party group of legislators to Oita Prefecture for a friendly soccer match with Japanese parliamentarians. Vice President Chiang specifically prepared Taichung's famous sun cakes to welcome the guests today. He expressed his hope to export the sun cakes, which have the unique characteristics of Central Taiwan, to Japan, following the successful model of Taiwan's red dragon fruit, which was exported to Japan for the first time in July this year, allowing more Japanese friends to enjoy them.
Vice President Chiang continued by stating that according to statistics from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) from January to July of this year, South Korea, China, and Taiwan ranked as the most prominent nationalities among travelers to Japan (3.55 million visitors). However, when ranking by the proportion of visitors to Japan relative to total population, Taiwan ranked first (approximately 15%), indicating that Japan is the preferred destination for Taiwanese travelers. Vice President Chiang added that with TSMC officially commencing operations at its factory in Kumamoto Prefecture in February this year and plans to build a second wafer fab by the end of the year, it is evident that there is unlimited potential for bilateral cooperation. Vice President Chiang further stated that Japan is a crucial member and key opinion leader of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and Taiwan and Japan are vital trade partners. He expressed his hope that the two sides can sign a free trade agreement and that Japan will continue to support Taiwan's accession to the CPTPP. He particularly appreciated the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council for establishing a CPTPP Research Group this June, which includes discussions on how to assist Taiwan's membership. He also noted that the Legislative Yuan set up the "Legislative Yuan Committee for Taiwan CPTPP Accession" in February of this year, looking forward to close exchanges between the parliaments of Taiwan and Japan on this issue, and hoping for continued backing from Japan for Taiwan.
Vice President Chiang expressed his deep appreciation to Japan for supporting Taiwan in securing the hosting rights for the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union (APPU) next year. He extended a sincere invitation to the Japanese legislators present to form a delegation and attend the grand event in Taiwan. He also hoped that Japan would continue to speak up for Taiwan on the international stage. In conclusion, Vice President Chiang once again expressed his gratitude to Head of Delegation Santō Akiko for leading the delegation of Japanese senators to Taiwan for the 2024 National Day celebrations. He praised Chairman Furuya Keiji of the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council for his contributions to strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations. Vice President Chiang also wished Japan success in the upcoming House of Representatives election and looked forward to further elevating Taiwan-Japan relations in the future.
Head of Delegation Santō Akiko, Member of the House of Councillors, expressed her gratitude to Vice President Chiang and the cross-party legislators for taking the time to offer a warm reception. She remarked on the frequent exchanges between Taiwanese and Japanese legislators, noting that seeing everyone felt as familiar as reuniting with old friends. It was a great honor for her to lead the delegation to participate in Taiwan's National Day celebrations. Given the deep-rooted friendship between Taiwan and Japan, she added that it was crucial to find time to participate in Taiwan's National Day celebration, regardless of the upcoming elections and political fluctuations in the Japanese House of Representatives. Senator Santō Akiko specifically highlighted the recent increase in natural disasters, noting that Taiwan is always among the first to extend assistance whenever Japan experiences calamities. She expressed her heartfelt wishes for those affected by Typhoon Krathon in Taiwan, hoping they can quickly return to a stable and peaceful life. She continued by stating that regardless of the changes in Japan's political landscape, the friendship between Taiwan and Japan will remain unchanged. She expressed her hope for the continued deepening of cooperation to maintain peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council's CPTPP Research Group will closely collaborate with the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan, and the Japanese National Diet will do its utmost to assist Taiwan. Additionally, as an advisor to the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council's Women Members Exchange Group, she noted the remarkable representation of women in Taiwan's political sphere and expressed a desire for more exchanges and learning with Taiwan to encourage greater participation of women in politics in Japan. Senator Santō Akiko concluded by stating that Taiwan and Japan are good partners who share universal values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. She expressed a commitment to continue working together to create a brighter future and extended her best wishes to Taiwan for its National Day and prosperous national development.
Both sides then engaged in an extensive exchange of views on various topics, including the developments in Japanese politics, the current state of Taiwan-Japan local government exchanges, the timing of next year's APPU, and cooperation in sports, tourism, cultural activities, and the film and television industry. Notably, Senator Umemura Mizuho spoke in Chinese, contributing to a warm and friendly atmosphere. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, concluding with both sides exchanging commemorative gifts and taking group photos to mark the occasion.