Japanese Lawmakers Set to Strengthen Ties with Taiwan in Upcoming Visits

Several influential Japanese lawmakers are preparing to visit Taiwan as the Japanese Diet concludes its latest session. The Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), disclosed that these visits are scheduled for this month and next.

Beginning on November 12, 2023, Loichi Hagiuda, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives and secretary-general of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, will lead a delegation from Greater Tokyo’s Hachioji City. This three-day visit aims to enhance local governance ties and foster deeper connections.

Accompanying Hagiuda, notable lawmakers such as Keisuke Suzuki, a former minister of justice, and Akihisa Nagashima, a former special adviser to the prime minister, are set to visit Taiwan on November 13, 2023, for a similar duration. Their presence underscores Japan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

In addition, Hirofumi Takinami, a member of the House of Councillors and former state minister of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, will also lead a delegation in the coming days. Takinami played a significant role in advocating for Taiwanese individuals to list “Taiwan” as their nationality in Japan’s household registration system.

These visits represent a growing friendship between Japan and Taiwan. A total of thirty Japanese lawmakers are expected to visit Taiwan between the end of this year and early next year. According to Lin Yu-hui, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, these trips are a testament to Japan’s regard for parliamentary exchanges and its desire to cultivate connections based on shared democratic values.

The MOFA has facilitated workshops since 2010 aimed at educating young political workers from Japan about Taiwan. This year, twenty participants, including parliamentary assistants and local councilors, are invited to attend a workshop from November 13 to 17, 2023.

These developments occur against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. On November 7, 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a military response from Japan. Following these remarks, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its demand for Japan to retract Takaichi’s statements, criticizing the Japanese government for what it described as ambiguous communication on crucial issues.

Guo Jiakun, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed discontent, stating, “On key issues, Japan is still ‘squeezing toothpaste’ and ‘burying nails,’ attempting to obfuscate and muddle through.” This statement reflects the ongoing diplomatic strain between the two nations, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in East Asia.

The upcoming visits by Japanese lawmakers not only signify continued diplomatic engagement but also highlight the shared values between Taiwan and Japan in the face of external pressures. As these relationships deepen, the implications for regional stability and cooperation will be closely watched by international observers.