A delegation from Japan’s House of Representatives commenced a three-day visit to Taiwan Aug. 22 aimed at bolstering bilateral relations and cooperation across the board.
Headed by Keiji Furuya, chair of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, the group includes fellow lawmaker Minoru Kihara. The itinerary encompasses an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen and meetings with Vice President Lai Ching-te, Premier Su Tseng-chang, Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and Su Jia-chyuan, chair of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association.
The group will also pay respects at the grave of late President Lee Teng-hui at a military cemetery in New Taipei City.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation’s visit is warmly welcomed by the government and people. In the face of authoritarian expansionism that leads to regional tensions and challenges to the rules-based international order, democracies must unite in defending the shared values of freedom and democracy, the MOFA added.
In a tweet on its official account, the ministry said “A hearty welcome to #Taiwan’s longtime friends, @Furuya_keiji & @kihara_minoru. The visit of the members of #Japan’s House of Representatives shows our like-minded neighbor’s staunch support in the face of recent provocation. We wish them a fruitful & rewarding 3-day stay.” (DL-E)
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