立法院江啟臣副院長於本（11月20）日下午2時在「台日交流聯誼會」副會長洪孟楷委員、副會長黃珊珊委員、國際事務處林晨富處長，以及外交部「臺灣日本關係協會」林郁慧專門委員等人陪同下，接見日本岩手縣議會「台灣友好議員聯盟」一行18人。
At 2 p.m. on November 20, 2024, 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; Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the International Affairs Department; and Senior Specialist Lin Yu-Hui of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received an 18-member delegation from the Iwate Prefectural Assembly’s Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association.
江副院長首先代表韓國瑜院長歡迎訪賓，嗣偕出席委員與訪賓合影。江副院長致詞時表示，適逢世界12強棒球賽（WBSC Premier 12）複賽在日本東京開打，台日雙方皆晉級四強，很希望此次拜會地點在東京舉行，便可一同為選手加油，雖然比賽有輸贏，但是台日友誼絕對是雙贏。副院長並提及岩手縣土地面積在日本行政區中排名第二，物產豐富，並以世界文化遺產「平泉中尊寺」等名勝聞名全球；目前效力於美國洛杉磯道奇隊的知名球星大谷翔平，在本季例行賽完成史無前例的「50轟50盜」，締造歷史紀錄的紀念球由台灣企業標下，現正在台北101大樓展出，邀請議員們前往參觀。
Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome to the guests on behalf of Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han and later joined the attending legislators and the delegation for a group photo. During his remarks, Vice President Chiang noted that the visit coincided with the WBSC Premier 12 baseball tournament’s semifinals taking place in Tokyo, where both Taiwan and Japan had advanced to the top four. He expressed that it would have been wonderful if the meeting were held in Tokyo, allowing them to cheer for the players together. While games inherently involve winners and losers, the friendship between Taiwan and Japan is undoubtedly a win-win. The Vice President noted that Iwate Prefecture ranks second in land area among Japan’s administrative regions. It is abundant in natural resources, and is internationally renowned for cultural landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Chūson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi. The renowned baseball star Shohei Ohtani, currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, achieved an unprecedented milestone this season with "50 home runs and 50 stolen bases" in regular play. A commemorative ball marking this historic record was acquired by a Taiwanese enterprise and is now on display at Taipei 101. Vice President Chiang invited the legislators to visit the exhibition.
江副院長續稱，據今年截至7月底的統計資料，台灣共有355萬人次至日本旅行，但若以旅日人數占總人口數比例的排名來看，台灣則是穩坐第一（佔15％），此外,有高達76.6%的日本民眾對台灣有好感。今（2024）年4月初，我國遭逢25年來最強地震，對花蓮地區造成重創，日本募捐金額超過2.26億日圓 （約新台幣5,100萬元），這些溫暖的心意再度印證台日間「患難見真情」的珍貴友誼。此外，日本是我國第3大、我國是日本第4大貿易夥伴，這些數據均證明台日兩國無論是民間互訪交流、區域政治與經濟合作均緊密連結，尤其代表基層民意的地方議會，更是台日關係穩固的重要基礎，盼「台灣友好議員聯盟」持續協助深化台日實質友好關係。
He further noted that, according to statistics as of the end of July this year, Taiwan recorded 3.55 million visits to Japan. In terms of the proportion of travelers to Japan relative to total population, Taiwan ranks first at 15%. Additionally, an impressive 76.6% of the Japanese public holds a favorable view of Taiwan. In early April this year (2024), Taiwan experienced its strongest earthquake in 25 years, causing severe damage to the Hualien region. Japan generously contributed over 226 million yen (approximately NT$51 million) in donations. This heartfelt gesture once again underscored the precious friendship between Taiwan and Japan, exemplifying the saying, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." Furthermore, Japan is Taiwan's third-largest trading partner, while Taiwan ranks as Japan's fourth-largest. These figures demonstrate the close ties between the two nations in areas such as people-to-people exchanges, regional political collaboration, and economic cooperation. In particular, local assemblies, which represent grassroots public opinion, serve as a crucial foundation for the stability of Taiwan-Japan relations. He expressed his hope that the Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association will continue to play a key role in deepening substantive ties between Taiwan and Japan.
江副院長最後特別提及本（第11）屆立法院「台日交流聯誼會」由韓國瑜院長擔任會長，成員共85位，是立法院所有國會聯誼會中人數最多，占全體委員人數超過三分之二，充分展現跨黨派委員對台日關係的重視。感謝岩手縣議會「台灣友好議員聯盟」長期以來對台灣的支持，立法院各黨派委員，均樂願與日本交流合作，期待未來繼續攜手鞏固台日雙邊情誼。
Vice President Chiang concluded by highlighting that the 11th Legislative Yuan’s Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association is chaired by President Daniel K.Y. Han and comprises 85 members, making it the largest parliamentary friendship group in the Legislative Yuan. With membership exceeding two-thirds of all legislators, it underscores the cross-party commitment of lawmakers to strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations. Vice President Chiang expressed his gratitude to the Iwate Prefectural Assembly’s Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association for its longstanding support of Taiwan. He emphasized that legislators from all political parties in the Legislative Yuan are eager to engage in exchanges and cooperation with Japan, and he looks forward to continuing joint efforts to strengthen the bilateral friendship between Taiwan and Japan.
團長中平均會長首先感謝副院長的熱烈接待，並提起13年前日本東北311大地震，當時包含在座的許多議員皆為受災戶，對於台灣在地震發生後第一時間不分公私部門皆慷慨解囊捐款賑災一事，特別表達由衷的感激，他也藉今日的機會對今年4月花蓮地震表達慰問，希望花蓮復原重建工作能早日完成。他續稱，過去台灣鳳梨出口曾受到中國的抵制，岩手縣也略盡棉薄之力，進口許多台灣鳳梨表示支持，他本人也相當喜歡鳳梨酥。此外，岩手縣議會於COVID-19疫情期間通過決議支持台灣參與「世界衛生大會」（World Health Assembly, WHA），2023年桃園機場和花卷機場直飛航班也正式復航，希望雙邊交流日益頻密，此次來台感受到溫暖的接待，回國後將會協助宣傳台灣觀光之美。
Chairperson Nakatai Hitoshi, the head of the delegation, began by expressing his heartfelt appreciation to Vice President Chiang for the warm reception. He recalled the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, noting that many of the legislators present were among those affected. He conveyed deep gratitude for Taiwan's generous donations and support in the immediate aftermath, spanning both public and private sectors. Chairperson Nakatai also took the opportunity to extend his sympathies regarding the earthquake in Hualien this April, expressing hope for the swift completion of recovery and reconstruction efforts in the region. He continued by noting that in the past, Taiwan's pineapple exports faced boycotts from China. In response, Iwate Prefecture extended its support by importing a significant quantity of Taiwanese pineapples. He added that he is particularly fond of pineapple cakes. Furthermore, the Iwate Prefectural Assembly passed a resolution during the COVID-19 pandemic supporting Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA). In 2023, direct flights between Taoyuan Airport and Hanamaki Airport officially resumed, paving the way for more frequent bilateral exchanges. The delegation expressed gratitude for the warm reception during their visit to Taiwan and pledged to promote the beauty of experiencing Taiwan through tourism upon their return.
「台日交流聯誼會」副會長黃珊珊委員表示，看到岩手縣議員特別感到親切，她先前曾擔任6屆台北市議員，並曾任台北市副市長，任內與日本有相當緊密的交流，如與日本愛媛縣松山市在台北市合辦大神轎撞轎祈福活動，亦曾接待松山市議員到訪，台日不論是生活習慣及風土民情皆是非常熟悉的夥伴。黃珊珊委員回應有關世界12強棒球賽，雖然上週預賽時台灣惜敗日本，但是場邊台灣球迷仍為日本隊加油，這便是台日友好情誼的最佳寫照。
Vice Chair of the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Association, Legislator Huang Shan-Shan, remarked that she felt a particular affinity for the assembly members from Iwate Prefecture. She shared that she previously served six terms as a Taipei City Councilor and as Deputy Mayor of Taipei, during which she engaged in close exchanges with Japan. Notably, she collaborated with Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture to co-host the Matsuyama Grand Mikoshi – Dogo Hachimachi Shrine-clashing and Blessing Ceremony in Taipei and also welcomed Matsuyama City Council members during their visits. She emphasized that Taiwan and Japan share a deep familiarity as partners, rooted in similar lifestyles and cultural traditions. Legislator Huang Shan-Shan responded to the topic of the WBSC Premier 12 baseball tournament, noting that although Taiwan lost to Japan in the preliminary round last week, Taiwanese fans at the game continued to cheer for the Japanese team. She stated that this exemplified the deep friendship and goodwill between Taiwan and Japan.
雙方嗣就台日城市交流、觀光互訪及世界棒球12強等議題廣泛交換意見，氣氛友好熱絡，韓國瑜院長於拜會尾聲特別前來向訪團致意並合影留念，會晤歷約1小時，雙方互贈紀念品後為今日會晤劃下句點。
The two sides engaged in extensive discussions on topics including Taiwan-Japan city exchanges, tourism and mutual visits, and the WBSC Premier 12 baseball tournament, in a warm and cordial atmosphere. Toward the end of the meeting, President Daniel K.Y. Han made a special appearance to greet the delegation and joined them for a group photo. The meeting lasted approximately one hour and concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts, marking a successful end to the visit.
