A delegation including five members of Japan’s House of Representatives touched down May 3 in Taiwan on a visit aimed at bringing participants up to speed on the latest developments impacting relations between the East Asian neighbors.
Led by Masanobu Ogura, director of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Youth Division, the 11-member group includes fellow lawmakers Norikazu Suzuki, Hayato Suzuki, Susumu Yamaguchi and Daisuke Nishino.
The visit of the delegation is warmly welcomed by the government and the people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. It further underscores the strength of two-way ties and a willingness to expand exchanges across a broad spectrum of areas, the ministry added.
According to the MOFA, the group’s five-day itinerary includes 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 and MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu. Other highlights are fact-finding tours of Taipei, Taoyuan and Hsinchu cities, and a trip to pay respects at the grave of former President Lee Teng-hui, the ministry said.
The LDP’s Youth Division is an important conduit for Taiwan-Japan communication on issues of mutual interest, the MOFA said. Many of its previous directors went on to serve as high-ranking government officials such as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and ex-PM Shinzo Abe, the ministry added.
In a tweet on the MOFA’s official account, the ministry said “A warm #Taiwan welcome to Masanobu Ogura, director of @jimin_koho’s Youth Division, & his delegation including Norikazu Suzuki, Hayato Suzuki, Susumu Yamaguchi & Daisuke Nishino. We wish our friends from #Japan’s House of Representatives a productive & rewarding 5-day visit.” (DL-E)
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