The visits by two Japanese parliamentary delegations are sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dec. 22.
Visiting Taiwan Dec. 22-24, the first contingent is led by Keisuke Suzuki, member of the House of Representatives and former minister of justice. The group also includes Rep. Akihisa Nagashima, former special adviser to ex-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Rep. Junichi Kanda, former parliamentary vice-minister of justice.
The MOFA said the delegation will meet with President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, former President Tsai Ing-wen, Secretary-General of the National Security Council Joseph Jau-shieh Wu, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, and Minister of National Defense Wellington Li-hsiung Koo, among others, during their stay. They will exchange views on issues spanning bilateral trade development, economic security, regional situations and Taiwan-Japan relations, the ministry added.
The second delegation is from the House of Councillors’ Taiwan friendship group, the MOFA said. Led by Hirofumi Takinami, the delegation includes other members of House of Councillors. During their Dec. 22-24 stay, group members will meet with President Lai, Premier Cho Jung-tai and Foreign Minister Lin, as well as other officials including Su Jia-chyuan, chair of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association.
Taiwan and Japan both value freedom and democracy, and respect human rights and the rule of law, the MOFA said, adding that the visit of Suzuki’s delegation helps deepen substantive bilateral cooperation while Takinami’s visit demonstrates the support for Taiwan maintained by lawmakers of the Liberal Democratic Party. (YCH-E)
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