On the afternoon of March 24, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by KMT Legislators Hung Mong-Kai and Ko Chih-En, DPP Legislator Chung Chia-Pin, Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the Department of International Affairs, and Deputy Minister Joshua Jhao-Syong Ruan of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), met with a homecoming delegation from the Overseas Chinese Association in Japan, the Japanese Branch of the Overseas Chinese Association HQ, and the Tokyo Nakayama Society.

President Han first extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests and welcomed all overseas compatriots back home. He then joined the attending legislators and the delegation for a commemorative photo. President Han remarked that overseas compatriots are Taiwan’s best calling card, showcasing the diligence, warmth, sincerity, and kindness of the Taiwanese people. He added that the Legislative Yuan currently comprises 113 members, of whom 85 are members of the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association, demonstrating the Legislative Yuan’s great emphasis on Taiwan-Japan relations. Furthermore, there are 48 female legislators, accounting for 42.5% of the Legislative Yuan, reflecting Taiwan’s remarkable achievements in promoting gender equality. He also mentioned that in 2024, over 1.18 million Japanese visitors traveled to Taiwan, while visits to Japan by Taiwanese people reached 6.04 million, highlighting the vibrant people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. In addition, TSMC successfully set up a plant in Kumamoto Prefecture last year, and a second plant will begin construction in 2025, clearly demonstrating that exchanges between Taiwan and Japan continue to deepen in various fields. President Han also thanked the overseas compatriots in Japan for holding National Day events every year, which not only show their deep affection for the Republic of China but also help raise Taiwan’s international visibility. He further added that since Osaka will host the Expo 2025 this April, many legislators are planning to visit Japan to attend the event and look forward to meeting with overseas compatriots during their stay. In conclusion, President Han encouraged the overseas compatriots present to remember that "regardless of party affiliation, Taiwan should be our sole focus," calling for unity and cooperation to create a better future together.

Hsiao Yu-Lan, head of the delegation, expressed her gratitude to President Han and the cross-party legislators for taking the time to meet with them. She noted that overseas compatriots in Japan hold deep affection for Taiwan, and with the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a strong desire among them to return home. She added that more delegations are expected to visit Taiwan in the future. She further noted that, starting this May, the Japanese government will allow overseas compatriots to list “Taiwan” in the nationality field of their family registry certificates, demonstrating their respect for Taiwan. She expressed gratitude to the government of Taiwan for its continued support and care for overseas compatriots and affirmed that they will work hand in hand with the government to promote citizen diplomacy in order to further strengthen Taiwan-Japan friendship.

During the exchange, Legislator Hung Mong-Kai expressed his gratitude to the Overseas Chinese Association in Japan, the Japanese Branch of the Overseas Chinese Association HQ, and the Tokyo Nakayama Society for organizing the delegation to visit Taiwan, noting that he deeply felt the warmth and enthusiasm of the overseas compatriots in Japan. While political parties in Taiwan hold diverse domestic views, the Republic of China flag unites all Taiwanese overseas as a symbol of common pride. He mentioned that he served as Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Chiayi City Government. Chiayi is home to Taiwan’s only baseball team to have competed in Japan’s Koshien Tournament - the Chiayi Agricultural and Forestry School team, known as "Kano." He deeply felt the close cultural connection between Taiwan and Japan and hoped to work together with overseas compatriots in Japan to promote bilateral exchange and cooperation in the future.

Legislator Chung Chia-Pin shared that his first experience traveling abroad was a visit to Japan, instilling particularly profound feelings toward the country. He further noted that Japan is currently striving to establish the Secretariat of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Japan. He hopes that overseas compatriots in Japan can use their influence to assist Taiwan in joining the CPTPP and expanding our international presence.

Legislator Ko Chih-En emphasized that Taiwan-Japan relations have become increasingly close and friendly in recent years. She noted that two of Taiwan’s presidential candidates visited Japan the year before last, highlighting its importance. As Japan’s cherry blossom season arrives this year, a surge of Taiwanese tourists traveling to Japan is about to reappear, showing the active exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. She emphasized that the Legislative Yuan, both ruling and opposition parties, attaches great importance to parliamentary diplomacy with Japan. She expressed hope that both parties would enhance their interactions and deepen their exchanges to cultivate a mutually beneficial and prosperous outcome.

The two sides also engaged in extensive discussions on topics including parliamentary diplomacy, regional situation and foreign policy, economic and trade cooperation, as well as incentive policies to attract overseas compatriots’ businesses to return to Taiwan for investment. President Han concluded by stressing that both the Legislative Yuan and the OCAC highly value overseas compatriots. He stated that the Legislative Yuan will do its utmost to provide any necessary assistance and hopes for frequent interactions to deepen their friendship.

The meeting, which lasted approximately 40 minutes, took place in a relaxed and cordial atmosphere. The visit concluded successfully with an exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo.