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.
江副院長首先代表韓院長及立法院歡迎訪賓，並表示台日國會頻繁互訪，關係日益緊密，他特別提及今（113）年8月率跨黨派立委到大分縣與日本國會議員進行足球友誼賽，是一次相當成功的國會外交。江副院長今日特別準備台中知名的太陽餅招待訪賓，並稱盼能循今年7月台灣紅肉火龍果首度外銷日本的模式，將具有中台灣特色的太陽餅外銷日本，與更多日本好朋友分享。
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.
江副院長續表示，根據日本政府觀光局（JNTO）今年上半年的統計，1月至7月赴日旅遊人數最多的前三名，分別是韓國、中國及台灣（355萬人次） ，但若以旅日人數占總人口數比例的排名來看，台灣則排名第一（約15％），代表日本是台灣人出國旅行的首選。加上今年2月我國台積電於熊本縣設廠正式營運，年底更將興建第二座晶圓廠，顯見雙邊合作具有無限的發展空間。副院長繼謂，日本是「跨太平洋夥伴全面進步協定」（CPTPP）的重要成員國及意見領袖，而台日是彼此重要的貿易夥伴，除盼雙邊能儘速簽署自由貿易協定，也希望日本能持續協助台灣加入CPTPP，他特別感謝「日華懇」於今年6月成立「CPTPP研究小組」，其中包含研商如何助我國入會，同時表示立法院在今年2月也成立「立法院推動台灣加入CPTPP策進會」，期待台日雙邊國會就此議題可以密切聯繫交流，並盼日方續予台灣協助。
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.
江副院長特別感謝日本於今年3月支持我國取得明年「亞洲太平洋國會議員聯合會」(APPU)的主辦權，他誠摯邀請在座日本議員屆時組團來台參加盛會，也希望日本能持續在國際為台灣發聲。最後，他再次感謝山東團長率參議員來台參加113年雙十國慶，並推崇「日華懇」古屋圭司會長對深化台日友好關係所作的貢獻，並祝福日本即將舉行的眾議院改選舉順利圓滿，也期盼台日關係未來更上層樓。
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.
團長山東昭子參議員致詞表示，感謝江副院長及跨黨派委員撥冗熱情接待，台日議員頻繁互訪，看到各位就像是老朋友一樣熟悉，非常榮幸率團來參加我國國慶盛會。基於台日深厚情誼，雖然日本眾議院即將改選，面臨政局波動，但無論多忙碌都要抽空參加台灣的雙十國慶。山東參議員特別提到近日天災頻繁，每當日本發生災害，台灣都在第一時間對日本伸出援手，此次台灣遭遇山陀兒颱風侵襲，造成生命和財產的損失，衷心祝福受災戶能早日回復平靜的生活。她續稱，無論日本政壇如何更迭，台日友好情誼不會改變，希望持續深化合作，以維持印太地區的和平和繁榮，「日華懇」CPTPP研究小組將和台灣立法院密切合作，日本國會也會竭盡所能的協助台灣；另外作為「日華懇」女性議員交流小組的顧問，她注及台灣女性參政比例特別突出，希望能多和台灣交流學習，藉此鼓勵日本女性參政。山東參議員最後表示，台灣和日本是共享民主、自由、法治等普世價值的好夥伴，將續攜手共創美好的未來，祝福台灣生日快樂，國運昌隆。
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.
雙方嗣就日本政局發展、台日地方政府交流現況、明年「亞洲太平洋國會議員聯合會」（APPU)舉辦時機、台日體育、觀光暨藝文交流以及影視產業合作等議題廣泛交換意見，其中梅村瑞穗參議員特別以中文發言，氣氛溫馨友好，拜會歷約1小時15分鐘，最後雙方互贈紀念品及合影留念，為今日會晤劃下句點。
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.
