立法院江啟臣副院長於本（2月20）日中午款宴「日本台灣親善協會」衛藤征士郎會長一行12人，由去（2024）年與江副院長一同赴日本參加「台日國會議員足球友誼賽」的羅智強委員、黃建賓委員、莊瑞雄委員及張啓楷委員等跨黨派委員作陪，國際事務處林晨富處長及外交部「臺灣日本關係協會」林郁慧副秘書長等人亦陪同。
At noon on February 20, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny C. Chiang hosted a luncheon for Seishirō Etō, President of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association, and his 12-member delegation. He was accompanied by legislators from different parties, including Lo Chih-Chiang, Huang Chien-Pin, Chuang Jui-Hsiung, and Chang Chi-Kai, who had joined him in Japan last year for the Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Members Friendly Soccer Match. Also present were Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the Department of International Affairs and Deputy Secretary-General Lin Yu-Hui of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
江副院長首先代表韓國瑜院長誠摯歡迎衛藤征士郎會長及「日本台灣親善協會」訪賓來台，繼表示非常高興能與衛藤會長再次會晤，訪團甫搭機抵台即由他接風款待，展現雙方深厚情誼。此次特別選在具有48年歷史，且連續七年入選「台北米其林指南」的知名台菜餐廳招待日本好朋友，江副院長憶及，過去他於台灣經濟研究院服務時，經常造訪此地，期盼訪團能透過此次餐宴，品味道地台灣美食，更進一步認識台灣的在地文化。
Vice President Chiang sincerely welcomed President Seishirō Etō and the visiting members of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association to Taiwan on behalf of President Daniel K.Y. Han. He further expressed his great pleasure in meeting with President Etō once again, noting that hosting the delegation immediately upon their arrival in Taiwan demonstrated the deep friendship between both sides. To warmly welcome the visitors from Japan, this luncheon was specially arranged at a renowned Taiwanese restaurant with a 48-year history, which has been listed in the "Taipei Michelin Guide" for seven consecutive years. Vice President Chiang recalled that he frequently visited this establishment during his time at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research. He hoped that through this dining experience, the delegation would be able to savor authentic Taiwanese cuisine and gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s local culture.
江副院長續謂，衛藤會長長期以來對台灣的堅定支持與貢獻有目共睹，為台日友誼發展與深化扮演關鍵的角色。回顧過去一年，衛藤會長與立法院交流密切，去年3月江副院長偕跨黨派共14位立法委員前往日本東京，出席「亞洲太平洋國會議員聯合會」（APPU），期間與衛藤會長進行深入交流。同年5月，衛藤會長以「日華議員懇談會」顧問身分訪台，除了參加我國第16任總統副總統宣誓就職典禮，並與韓院長及本院跨黨派委員面晤親切交流。同年8月，江副院長與11位跨黨派委員應邀前往衛藤會長的故鄉大分縣，參加「台日國會議員足球友誼賽」，開創以體育賽事深化台日國會交流的新頁，充分展現台日關係密切友好。
Vice President Chiang further stated that President Etō’s longstanding firm support toward and contributions to Taiwan are widely recognized, and he has played a key role in fostering and deepening Taiwan-Japan friendship. Looking back on the past year, President Etō has maintained close exchanges with the Legislative Yuan. In March 2024, Vice President Chiang, along with a cross-party delegation of 14 legislators, traveled to Tokyo to attend the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU), where he engaged in in-depth discussions with President Etō. In May 2024, President Etō visited Taiwan as an advisor to the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council. During his visit, he attended the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan’s 16th President and Vice President and engaged in cordial exchanges with President Han and legislators from different parties. In August 2024, Vice President Chiang, along with 11 cross-party legislators, was invited to visit President Etō’s hometown in Ōita Prefecture to participate in the Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Members Friendly Soccer Match. This event marked a new chapter in strengthening Taiwan-Japan parliamentary exchanges through sport, fully demonstrating the close and friendly relations between the two nations.
江副院長最後感謝衛藤會長的大力支持，讓台灣順利取得2025年「亞洲太平洋國會議員聯合會」（APPU）主辦權，並誠摯邀請訪團屆時再度來台共襄盛舉，期盼台日雙方未來在各項領域持續深化合作，共同攜手推動兩國關係更上層樓。
Vice President Chiang concluded by expressing his gratitude to President Etō for his strong support, which enabled Taiwan to successfully secure the hosting rights for the 2025 APPU. He sincerely invited the delegation to return to Taiwan for the event and looked forward to continued deepening of cooperation between Taiwan and Japan across various fields, working together to further elevate bilateral relations.
衛藤征士郎會長致詞時特別感謝江副院長及在座跨黨派委員撥冗熱情接待，他憶及1996年於日本早稻田大學就讀時，便以學生訪問團團長身分首度來台訪問近三週，期間曾與台灣大學、成功大學、東海大學及高雄工專等台灣知名學府進行交流，這是他與台灣結緣的開始。之後陸續擔任地方政府和國會議員的職務近半世紀，持續與台灣維持密切聯繫，他很榮幸榮任「日本台灣親善協會」會長一職，盼藉其過往從政的經歷，繼續協助深化台日兩國的交流與發展。衛藤會長強調，台灣在全球自由民主法治體制中佔有舉足輕重的地位，並特別提及，日前於華府舉行的「川石會」（日本石破茂首相與美國川普總統會晤），雙方會後發表聯合聲明，特別強調台灣海峽和平穩定的重要性，以及重申支持台灣參與國際組織，這項聲明令人振奮。
President Seishirō Etō, in his remarks, expressed his sincere gratitude to Vice President Chiang and the legislators for their warm hospitality despite their busy schedules. He recalled that in 1996, while studying at Waseda University in Japan, he visited Taiwan for the first time for nearly three weeks as the leader of a student delegation. During that time, he engaged in exchanges with renowned Taiwanese institutions such as National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, Tunghai University, and National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (then Kaohsiung Institute of Technology). This visit marked the beginning of his enduring connection with Taiwan. He went on to serve in local government and as a member of parliament for nearly half a century, maintaining close ties with Taiwan throughout his career. He expressed his honor in assuming the role of President of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association and hoped to leverage his past political experience to further deepen exchanges and foster the development of Taiwan-Japan relations. President Etō emphasized Taiwan’s crucial role in the global system of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. He specifically mentioned the recent "Trump-Ishiba Meeting" in Washington (a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump), after which they issued a joint statement underlining the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and reiterating support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, which was an encouragement statement.
衛藤會長續謂，俄羅斯入侵烏克蘭即將屆滿3年，他認為任何國家皆不應以武力或脅迫片面改變現狀，並重申「台灣有事即日本有事」，彰顯台日之間基於自由、法治及人權等共同價值的強韌夥伴關係；他亦提及日本將自今年5月起允許國民將戶籍的國籍欄位登錄為「台灣」，象徵雙方友好關係更向前邁出一步。衛藤會長最後強調，日本將持續支持台灣積極爭取加入「跨太平洋夥伴全面進步協定」（CPTPP）與「世界衛生組織」（WHO），他也會竭力發揮自身影響力，以實際行動支持台灣參與國際社會，並期待台日雙方日後繼續深化合作。
President Etō further stated that as the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, he firmly believes that no country should unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. He reiterated the principle that “a contingency in Taiwan is a contingency for Japan,” underscoring the strong partnership between Taiwan and Japan, built on shared values of freedom, the rule of law, and human rights. He also mentioned that starting in May 2025, Japan will allow its citizens to register "Taiwan" as their nation of birth in the household registration system, symbolizing a further step forward in the friendly relations between both sides. President Etō concluded by emphasizing that Japan will continue to support Taiwan’s efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). He also pledged to leverage his influence to take concrete actions in support of Taiwan’s participation in the international community and looked forward to further deepening Taiwan-Japan cooperation in the future.
江副院長在衛藤會長致詞完畢後邀請在座貴賓共享美食，席間江副院長及出席委員與訪團成員就「台日國會議員足球友誼賽」、「亞洲太平洋國會議員聯合會」（APPU）及兩國觀光互訪等議題廣泛交換意見，現場歡笑聲不斷。午宴歷約1.5小時，氣氛熱絡友好、賓主盡歡，為此次台日友好交流畫下圓滿的句點。
After President Etō’s remarks, Vice President Chiang invited the distinguished guests to enjoy the meal. During the luncheon, Vice President Chiang and the attending legislators engaged in lively discussions with the delegation members on topics such as the Taiwan-Japan Parliamentary Members Friendly Soccer Match, the APPU, and mutual tourism exchanges between the two countries. The meal was filled with laughter and warmth. The luncheon lasted approximately 1.5 hours in a warm and friendly atmosphere, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying the gathering, marking a successful conclusion to this Taiwan-Japan friendship exchange.
