Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han meets with former Prime Minister Taro Aso, senior advisor of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party; President Han: We are grateful for the LDP’s warm hospitality and we hope to further deepen Taiwan–Japan parliamentary exchanges.
On the afternoon of September 25, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜) led a delegation to the headquarters of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to meet with former Prime Minister Taro Aso, senior advisor to the LDP, as well as LDP Youth Division Director Nakasone Yasutaka. President Han was accompanied by KMT Legislator Hung Mong-Kai and TPP Legislator Huang Shan-Shan, Vice Presidents of the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association, along with KMT Legislators Hsu Yu-Chen, Wang Hung-Wei, Dr. Weng Hsiao-Ling, and Dr. Lin Chien-Chi; DPP Legislators Ho Hsin-Chun, Wang Mei-Hui, and Kuo Yu-Ching. From the LDP, Representative Hiranuma Shojiro, Acting Director of the Youth Division, and Representative Fukuda Kaoru, Deputy Director for International Affairs of the Youth Division, were also present.
Former Prime Minister Aso, senior advisor of the LDP, extended a warm welcome to the Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and offered heartfelt condolences to the people of Taiwan regarding the tragic loss of life caused by the overflow of the barrier lake on the Matai’an River in Guangfu Township, Hualien.
Mr. Aso noted that he has visited Taiwan many times over the years, most recently in 2023 as LDP’s Vice President, and that he continues to hold deep affection for Taiwan. Mr. Aso expressed great respect for President Han, acknowledging his heavy responsibilities as head of the Legislative Yuan. Mr. Aso emphasized that President Han has played an indispensable role in promoting bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and Japan—both during President Han’s tenure as a local government official and now as President of the Legislative Yuan. Mr. Aso stressed that Taiwan and Japan share universal values, making Taiwan one of Japan’s most steadfast allies and cherished partners.
Mr. Aso continued by highlighting that 6.04 million Taiwanese travelers visited Japan last year, surpassing the pre-pandemic figure of 4.98 million and ranking third globally. He said that on a per-capita basis, Taiwanese visitors exceeded those from China and South Korea, demonstrating Taiwanese people’s strong affection for Japan. As for economic collaboration, Mr. Aso noted that Taiwan–Japan cooperation in semiconductors has yielded tremendous results, with both sides achieving significant success in global supply chain resilience and talent development. He added that exchanges among local governments have also grown closer, further enhancing mutual trust. Mr. Aso remarked that “Japan is the country most loved by the people of Taiwan,” which is the strongest testament to the deep friendship between the two sides.
Regarding regional security, Mr. Aso reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are vital to Japan and the entire East Asian region. He said that Japan will spare no effort in helping maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait and firmly opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo. Mr. Aso also mentioned that he was informed of President Han’s upcoming visit to the Osaka World Expo, and expressed particular praise for the Taiwan Pavilion, which features cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment. He noted that the Taiwan Pavilion has been widely acclaimed and is highly popular among visitors, often requiring more than an hour of queuing to enter—an impressive testament to Taiwan’s strength and appeal in technology and creativity.
In his remarks, President Han expressed his gratitude to former Prime Minister Aso and the attending Diet members for their warm hospitality. He noted that all three major caucuses of the Legislative Yuan participated in the delegation, demonstrating unity in Taiwan’s parliamentary diplomacy. President Han further highlighted that 84 of the Legislative Yuan’s 113 members have joined the Taiwan–Japan Friendship Association, making it the largest cross-party parliamentary platform in Taiwan’s legislature. President Han also introduced Taiwan’s newly established Ministry of Sports, founded in September, and expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will broaden their cooperation in the field of sports, further strengthening bilateral ties.
Responding to Mr. Aso’s remarks about the demanding responsibilities of the Legislative Yuan President, President Han noted that the Legislative Yuan must balance administrative oversight, legislative advancement, cross-party coordination among the three major caucuses, and parliamentary diplomacy. He pledged to continue deepening exchanges with Japan and to strengthen cooperation in democracy, the economy, and culture, while jointly upholding peace and stability in the region.
Legislators Hung and Huang, Vice Presidents of the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association, as well as Legislator Ho also delivered remarks expressing gratitude for the warm reception and hoping to further deepen parliamentary exchanges and bilateral friendship. The two sides held extensive discussions on sports cooperation, declining birthrates and aging population, regional security, parliamentary exchanges, and party politics in Taiwan and Japan. The meeting lasted about an hour in a warm and cordial atmosphere and concluded successfully with the exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo.
Former Prime Minister Aso, senior advisor of the LDP, extended a warm welcome to the Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and offered heartfelt condolences to the people of Taiwan regarding the tragic loss of life caused by the overflow of the barrier lake on the Matai’an River in Guangfu Township, Hualien.
Mr. Aso noted that he has visited Taiwan many times over the years, most recently in 2023 as LDP’s Vice President, and that he continues to hold deep affection for Taiwan. Mr. Aso expressed great respect for President Han, acknowledging his heavy responsibilities as head of the Legislative Yuan. Mr. Aso emphasized that President Han has played an indispensable role in promoting bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and Japan—both during President Han’s tenure as a local government official and now as President of the Legislative Yuan. Mr. Aso stressed that Taiwan and Japan share universal values, making Taiwan one of Japan’s most steadfast allies and cherished partners.
Mr. Aso continued by highlighting that 6.04 million Taiwanese travelers visited Japan last year, surpassing the pre-pandemic figure of 4.98 million and ranking third globally. He said that on a per-capita basis, Taiwanese visitors exceeded those from China and South Korea, demonstrating Taiwanese people’s strong affection for Japan. As for economic collaboration, Mr. Aso noted that Taiwan–Japan cooperation in semiconductors has yielded tremendous results, with both sides achieving significant success in global supply chain resilience and talent development. He added that exchanges among local governments have also grown closer, further enhancing mutual trust. Mr. Aso remarked that “Japan is the country most loved by the people of Taiwan,” which is the strongest testament to the deep friendship between the two sides.
Regarding regional security, Mr. Aso reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are vital to Japan and the entire East Asian region. He said that Japan will spare no effort in helping maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait and firmly opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo. Mr. Aso also mentioned that he was informed of President Han’s upcoming visit to the Osaka World Expo, and expressed particular praise for the Taiwan Pavilion, which features cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment. He noted that the Taiwan Pavilion has been widely acclaimed and is highly popular among visitors, often requiring more than an hour of queuing to enter—an impressive testament to Taiwan’s strength and appeal in technology and creativity.
In his remarks, President Han expressed his gratitude to former Prime Minister Aso and the attending Diet members for their warm hospitality. He noted that all three major caucuses of the Legislative Yuan participated in the delegation, demonstrating unity in Taiwan’s parliamentary diplomacy. President Han further highlighted that 84 of the Legislative Yuan’s 113 members have joined the Taiwan–Japan Friendship Association, making it the largest cross-party parliamentary platform in Taiwan’s legislature. President Han also introduced Taiwan’s newly established Ministry of Sports, founded in September, and expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will broaden their cooperation in the field of sports, further strengthening bilateral ties.
Responding to Mr. Aso’s remarks about the demanding responsibilities of the Legislative Yuan President, President Han noted that the Legislative Yuan must balance administrative oversight, legislative advancement, cross-party coordination among the three major caucuses, and parliamentary diplomacy. He pledged to continue deepening exchanges with Japan and to strengthen cooperation in democracy, the economy, and culture, while jointly upholding peace and stability in the region.
Legislators Hung and Huang, Vice Presidents of the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association, as well as Legislator Ho also delivered remarks expressing gratitude for the warm reception and hoping to further deepen parliamentary exchanges and bilateral friendship. The two sides held extensive discussions on sports cooperation, declining birthrates and aging population, regional security, parliamentary exchanges, and party politics in Taiwan and Japan. The meeting lasted about an hour in a warm and cordial atmosphere and concluded successfully with the exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo.