At noon on October 9, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜), accompanied by Vice Chairs of the Taiwan–Japan Friendship Association, KMT Legislator Hung Mong-Kai and TPP Legislator Huang Shan-Shan; KMT Legislators Hsu Yu-Chen, Dr. Lai Shyh-Bao, Wang Hung-Wei, Dr. Weng Hsiao-Ling, and Dr. Lin Chien-Chi; DPP Legislators Dr. Chiu Chih-Wei, Dr. Kuo Kuo-Wen, Wang Mei-Hui, Chen Kuan-Ting, Dr. Loh Mei-Ling, and Kuo Yu-Ching; and Deputy Secretary General Lin Yu-Hui of the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted a luncheon in honor of the twenty-eight-member Japanese parliamentary delegation commemorating the ROC National Day.

President Han warmly welcomed the cross-party parliamentary congratulatory delegation organized by Furuya Keiji, Chairman of the Japan–ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, to Taiwan for the 2025 National Day celebrations. He noted with pleasure that the Japanese legislators appeared especially energetic and in high spirits. President Han also reflected on the fruitful outcomes of his cross-party delegation’s visit to Japan last month (September), expressing special gratitude to the Consultative Council for its warm hospitality and extending his best wishes for a smooth and successful visit to Taiwan.

President Han further noted that Japan is likely to welcome a new female prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, while Chairman Furuya has also assumed the position of Chair of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Election Strategy Committee—truly a double celebration. President Han praised Chairman Furuya for his keen insight and far-sighted vision, expressing confidence that he will continue to cultivate outstanding talent and guide political development. He also encouraged the legislators present to learn from Chairman Furuya’s political wisdom and judgment.

In closing, President Han emphasized that the gathering of legislators from all three major parties of the Legislative Yuan symbolized unity and sincerity in advancing parliamentary diplomacy. He expressed his hope that the parliaments of Taiwan and Japan would continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, once again extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests of the Consultative Council, and said he looked forward to meeting them at the National Day celebrations the following day.

In his remarks, Chairman Furuya expressed his great honor at receiving such a high-level reception from the Legislative Yuan, and conveyed his heartfelt thanks to President Han and the legislators for their thoughtful arrangements. He further noted that the Consultative Council is a cross-party organization, and that the participation of 28 parliamentarians in this visit to attend the 2025 National Day celebrations fully demonstrated the importance Japan places on Taiwan and the deep friendship between the two sides.

Chairman Furuya recalled that he had only just hosted President Han’s cross-party legislative delegation in Japan last month, and that meeting again in Taiwan merely two weeks later felt especially warm and familiar. He also mentioned the calligraphy piece titled Seeing a Thousand Miles at a Glance presented by President Han last year, which remains prominently displayed in his office as a symbol of enduring Taiwan–Japan friendship. Chairman Furuya also conveyed Japan’s condolences regarding the disaster in Guangfu Township, Hualien County. He noted that Japan possesses advanced deep-water surveying equipment, which is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan on October 17 to assist with disaster prevention efforts.

Chairman Furuya further explained that the Consultative Council comprises six research groups, among which the “Taiwan International Status Group,” after three years of efforts, successfully facilitated an amendment on May 27 of this year to Japan’s marriage registration nationality field, allowing Taiwanese spouses to be registered as “Taiwan” in terms of nationality. This change reflects Japan’s respect for and recognition of Taiwan. According to statistics, more than 70,000 people have already benefited from the amendment, a result that highlights the deep and enduring friendship between Taiwan and Japan. Chairman Furuya emphasized that Taiwan and Japan are truly like-minded and genuine friends.

At the beginning of the luncheon, Legislator Hung, Vice Chair of the Taiwan–Japan Friendship Association, offered a toast on behalf of the hosts. He remarked that President Han’s choice of Din Tai Fung, a renowned Taiwanese restaurant, to host the Japanese guests carried symbolic meaning: “Din” symbolizes excellence and first place, conveying wishes for the legislators’ successful re-election with high margins; “Tai” represents health, peace, and calmness; and “Fung” signifies abundance and fruitful results, expressing hopes that the delegation’s visit would yield rich outcomes.

Legislator Huang, also Vice Chair of the Taiwan–Japan Friendship Association, shared that every gathering with members of the Consultative Council is always warm and pleasant. She also recalled with fondness the gracious hospitality she received when visiting Japan. Although the delegation’s stay in Taiwan was brief, she expressed confidence in the strong Taiwan–Japan friendship and believed there would be many opportunities to meet again in the future.

The luncheon lasted approximately two hours and concluded successfully in a warm and cheerful atmosphere, with lively and friendly exchanges between hosts and guests.