The three-day visit by Taro Aso, former prime minister of Japan and current vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party, and his delegation is warmly welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Aug. 4.
The group, which touches down Aug. 7, also includes House of Representatives members Kenji Nakanishi and Keisuke Suzuki. During their stay, the delegation will have an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te, and meet with former President of the Legislative Yuan Wang Jin-pyng, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an, as well as pay respects at the tomb of late President Lee Teng-hui in New Taipei City.
According to the MOFA, Aso, an important political figure who has also served as Japan’s minister of finance and its minister of foreign affairs, will deliver a keynote speech at the Ketagalan Forum: 2023 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue Aug. 8 in Taipei City. In a previous trip to Taiwan, he attended National Day centennial celebrations, demonstrating his staunch support for the country, the ministry said.
The delegation’s visit is a symbol of the solid friendship between Taiwan and Japan, the ministry said, adding that it will help boost a variety of further exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw