Vice President Johnny C. Chiang of the Legislative Yuan hosts luncheon for 15-member delegation led by Eto Seishiro, Chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association; Vice President Chiang: We thank Chairman Eto for his tireless efforts in advancing Taiwan-Japan relations and look forward to elevating bilateral cooperation to a higher level.
At noon on March 24, Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣) of the Legislative Yuan hosted a luncheon for a 15-member delegation led by Eto Seishiro, Chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association. The luncheon was also attended by KMT Legislator Hung Mong-Kai and TPP Legislator Dr. Hung Yu-Hsiang, both Vice Chairmen of the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association; DPP Legislator Chen Pei-Yu; KMT Legislator Lo Ting-Wei; and representatives of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his remarks, Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and its President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜) to Chairman Eto and his delegation. He noted that two years ago, at Chairman Eto’s invitation, he traveled to Oita Prefecture in Japan to participate in a parliamentary football friendship match, an experience that remains vivid in his memory. He again expressed appreciation to the Japanese side for facilitating bilateral exchanges and deepening Taiwan-Japan relations. He also humorously remarked that while legislators of the Legislative Yuan still had room to improve their football skills, the exchange itself had been highly enjoyable. He added that the Taichung International Football Park is expected to be completed this year, and expressed hope to invite Japanese parliamentarians to Taiwan in the future for another friendly match.
Vice President Chiang further noted that Taiwan-Japan relations are built on strong people-to-people exchanges from the bottom up. He added that for many years, interactions between the peoples of Taiwan and Japan have remained close, with recent public opinion surveys showing that mutual favorability exceeds 70 percent. He said that this friendship is reflected not only at the parliamentary level, but also in local government exchanges. As examples, he noted that Oita Prefecture and Taichung City have signed a memorandum of friendly exchange, and that New Taipei City has established close cooperation with several Japanese cities, demonstrating the deep ties between the peoples of both sides. He further pointed out that in 2025, the number of mutual visits between Taiwan and Japan reached a new record, surpassing 8 million, while bilateral trade totaled US$84.8 billion; in addition, TSMC has established its first wafer fab in Kumamoto, with a second fab currently under construction. These developments, he said, show that Taiwan-Japan relations have entered a higher level of strategic cooperation.
Vice President Chiang emphasized that the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association is not only an important civil organization for promoting Taiwan-Japan relations, but also, under Chairman Eto’s leadership, we look forward to the Association's continued support in speaking up for Taiwan in various international arenas. He sincerely expressed hope that continued efforts by civil society and the business sector would support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), creating more opportunities for Taiwan and Japan to cooperate internationally in the future. He also wished the delegation a smooth and fruitful visit to Taiwan and expressed hope that he would have the opportunity to visit Japan again and meet them there in the future.
In his remarks, Chairman Eto thanked the Vice President and legislators of the Legislative Yuan for taking time to receive the delegation. He noted that people-to-people diplomacy between Taiwan and Japan has a long history, and that the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association has long been committed to promoting exchanges at all levels between the two sides. He specifically referred to the recent U.S.-Japan summit’s emphasis on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, stressing that Taiwan’s freedom and democracy are an important cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are vital to regional security and global prosperity.
Chairman Eto further stated that the current international environment is full of uncertainty, and that Taiwan’s performance in the areas of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law has been widely recognized by the international community. He added that he would continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP, as well as Taiwan’s participation in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
Chairman Eto also emphasized that youth exchange is an important foundation of Japan-Taiwan relations. He said that efforts would continue to promote interaction between high schools and universities in Japan and Taiwan, and to encourage more schools to establish sister-school partnerships. In terms of tourism exchange, he expressed hope that two-way visits would surpass 10 million in the future. He also expressed hope for more bilateral visits and sports exchange activities.
During the exchange, Legislator Hung Mong-Kai affirmed the importance of parliamentary exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, and mentioned that the Legislative Yuan’s parliamentary restaurant has become a popular destination for visitors, while still offering distinctly local flavors. He warmly welcomed the Japanese friends to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine during their visit. Legislator Hung Yu-Hsiang noted that baseball is a sport loved by both Taiwan and Japan, and remarked that during the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the Tokyo Dome almost felt like Taiwan’s home field, reflecting the close friendship between the two sides. Legislator Lo exchanged views with the delegation on the school lunch system and the application of AI in education. As convener of the Education and Culture Committee, he expressed hope of visiting Japan in the future to study relevant systems and AI development, learn more about curriculum design at the elementary and junior high school levels, and seek Japan’s support in establishing sister-school exchanges and liaison channels.
During the luncheon, the two sides also exchanged views on issues including economic cooperation, AI applications, and sports and health. The luncheon lasted approximately 100 minutes. Vice President Chiang and the accompanying legislators took a group photo with the delegation and exchanged commemorative gifts. The event concluded successfully in a harmonious and warm atmosphere, with both sides enjoying themselves. (2026/03/24)
In his remarks, Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and its President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜) to Chairman Eto and his delegation. He noted that two years ago, at Chairman Eto’s invitation, he traveled to Oita Prefecture in Japan to participate in a parliamentary football friendship match, an experience that remains vivid in his memory. He again expressed appreciation to the Japanese side for facilitating bilateral exchanges and deepening Taiwan-Japan relations. He also humorously remarked that while legislators of the Legislative Yuan still had room to improve their football skills, the exchange itself had been highly enjoyable. He added that the Taichung International Football Park is expected to be completed this year, and expressed hope to invite Japanese parliamentarians to Taiwan in the future for another friendly match.
Vice President Chiang further noted that Taiwan-Japan relations are built on strong people-to-people exchanges from the bottom up. He added that for many years, interactions between the peoples of Taiwan and Japan have remained close, with recent public opinion surveys showing that mutual favorability exceeds 70 percent. He said that this friendship is reflected not only at the parliamentary level, but also in local government exchanges. As examples, he noted that Oita Prefecture and Taichung City have signed a memorandum of friendly exchange, and that New Taipei City has established close cooperation with several Japanese cities, demonstrating the deep ties between the peoples of both sides. He further pointed out that in 2025, the number of mutual visits between Taiwan and Japan reached a new record, surpassing 8 million, while bilateral trade totaled US$84.8 billion; in addition, TSMC has established its first wafer fab in Kumamoto, with a second fab currently under construction. These developments, he said, show that Taiwan-Japan relations have entered a higher level of strategic cooperation.
Vice President Chiang emphasized that the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association is not only an important civil organization for promoting Taiwan-Japan relations, but also, under Chairman Eto’s leadership, we look forward to the Association's continued support in speaking up for Taiwan in various international arenas. He sincerely expressed hope that continued efforts by civil society and the business sector would support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), creating more opportunities for Taiwan and Japan to cooperate internationally in the future. He also wished the delegation a smooth and fruitful visit to Taiwan and expressed hope that he would have the opportunity to visit Japan again and meet them there in the future.
In his remarks, Chairman Eto thanked the Vice President and legislators of the Legislative Yuan for taking time to receive the delegation. He noted that people-to-people diplomacy between Taiwan and Japan has a long history, and that the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association has long been committed to promoting exchanges at all levels between the two sides. He specifically referred to the recent U.S.-Japan summit’s emphasis on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, stressing that Taiwan’s freedom and democracy are an important cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are vital to regional security and global prosperity.
Chairman Eto further stated that the current international environment is full of uncertainty, and that Taiwan’s performance in the areas of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law has been widely recognized by the international community. He added that he would continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP, as well as Taiwan’s participation in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
Chairman Eto also emphasized that youth exchange is an important foundation of Japan-Taiwan relations. He said that efforts would continue to promote interaction between high schools and universities in Japan and Taiwan, and to encourage more schools to establish sister-school partnerships. In terms of tourism exchange, he expressed hope that two-way visits would surpass 10 million in the future. He also expressed hope for more bilateral visits and sports exchange activities.
During the exchange, Legislator Hung Mong-Kai affirmed the importance of parliamentary exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, and mentioned that the Legislative Yuan’s parliamentary restaurant has become a popular destination for visitors, while still offering distinctly local flavors. He warmly welcomed the Japanese friends to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine during their visit. Legislator Hung Yu-Hsiang noted that baseball is a sport loved by both Taiwan and Japan, and remarked that during the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the Tokyo Dome almost felt like Taiwan’s home field, reflecting the close friendship between the two sides. Legislator Lo exchanged views with the delegation on the school lunch system and the application of AI in education. As convener of the Education and Culture Committee, he expressed hope of visiting Japan in the future to study relevant systems and AI development, learn more about curriculum design at the elementary and junior high school levels, and seek Japan’s support in establishing sister-school exchanges and liaison channels.
During the luncheon, the two sides also exchanged views on issues including economic cooperation, AI applications, and sports and health. The luncheon lasted approximately 100 minutes. Vice President Chiang and the accompanying legislators took a group photo with the delegation and exchanged commemorative gifts. The event concluded successfully in a harmonious and warm atmosphere, with both sides enjoying themselves. (2026/03/24)