President Lai hosts luncheon for Japanese Diet delegation to presidential inauguration

On May 20, President Lai Ching-te, together with Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, held a luncheon for the members of a Japanese Diet delegation visiting to attend their inauguration. President Lai thanked the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council for organizing the delegation, which he said held great significance for Taiwan. The president also said that since its founding, the council has made significant contributions to all facets of Taiwan-Japan friendship and cooperation. On the first day of his administration, President Lai thanked the members of the delegation for their past support for Taiwan, and expressed hope that they would continue to help strengthen a bilateral relationship that benefits both sides and helps the Taiwanese and Japanese peoples live better lives.

In his remarks, President Lai said he was delighted that Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji had led the members of the delegation to attend the inauguration, noting that the visit held great significance for Taiwan. 

President Lai pointed out that, in the nearly 60 years since its founding, the council has made significant contributions to the friendship between our countries and peoples, as well as to bilateral cooperation in fields including industry, athletics, and culture. The president noted that, thanks to everyone’s efforts, our countries not only rejoice together in moments of happiness, but also come together in the face of challenges, especially in the cases of natural disasters and the pandemic, during which we demonstrated the spirit that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”

On the first day of his administration, President Lai thanked the members of the delegation for their past support for Taiwan, and expressed hope that they would continue to help strengthen a bilateral relationship that benefits both sides and helps the Taiwanese and Japanese peoples live better lives.

In conclusion, President Lai noted that former Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) has been named secretary-general of the National Security Council, and that former Presidential Office Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has taken over Minister Wu’s foreign affairs portfolio. Referencing Minister Lin’s extensive experience in foreign affairs and his commitment to a vision for his country, the president expressed hope that the members of the delegation would give him their advice. 

In subsequent remarks, Chairman Furuya first thanked President Lai for holding a banquet for his delegation directly after the inauguration, and said he was moved by the president’s inaugural address just earlier, expressing confidence that the president would have his own original philosophy and approach to governance even while seeking continuity in certain existing policies. Saying that strengthening cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region is the right approach, the chairman stated that Taiwan and Japan share the same values, and would continue to work together on this premise.

Chairman Furuya then listed the council’s main policy priorities for 2024: first, continue to hold strategic dialogues among legislators from Japan, the US, and Taiwan; second, support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization and other international organizations; third, form a research group to assist in Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); fourth, foster an environment with stronger economic and national security safeguards in which Taiwan and Japan can work together to develop talent and conduct research in related fields; fifth, encourage Japan’s local governments and councils to send Japanese students to Taiwan for study tours; sixth, strengthen promotion of cooperation and exchange programs for women legislators from Taiwan and Japan.

Chairman Furuya noted that when an earthquake struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula this past January, Taiwan responded immediately, offering its concerns and donating considerable funds toward relief. He added that, when another earthquake struck Hualien in April, people from across Japan likewise expressed concerns and offered a helping hand, epitomizing the adage that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”

In closing, Chairman Furuya conveyed his wishes for the health and success of President Lai and Vice President Hsiao, and said that the Consultative Council will do all it can to encourage closer Taiwan-Japan ties and cooperation, and foster greater development in security, industry, and economics. 

Members of the delegation included Japanese House of Councillors Member Santo Akiko, House of Representatives Member Eto Seishiro, House of Representatives Member Komiyama Yasuko, House of Councillors Member Yamamoto Junzo, House of Representatives Member Nishime Kosaburo, House of Councillors Member Kawano Yoshihiro, House of Representatives Member Sasaki Hajime, House of Representatives Member Kamei Akiko, House of Representatives Member Matsubara Jin, House of Representatives Member Wada Yuichiro, House of Councillors Member Yamatani Eriko, House of Representatives Member Sakurada Yoshitaka, House of Councillors Member Katayama Satsuki, House of Representatives Member Kitagami Keiro, House of Councillors Member Kitamura Tsuneo, House of Councillors Member Horii Iwao, House of Representatives Member Onishi Hideo, House of Councillors Member Aoyama Shigeharu, House of Representatives Member Shimajiri Aiko, House of Representatives Member Sugita Mio, House of Councillors Member Ishii Mitsuko, House of Councillors Member Hirayama Sachiko, House of Councillors Member Inoue Yoshiyuki, House of Councillors Member Ito Takae, House of Councillors Member Umemura Mizuho, House of Representatives Member Suzuki Eikei, House of Representatives Member Kishi Nobuchiyo, House of Representatives Member Suzuki Atsushi, House of Councillors Member Kamiya Sohei, House of Councillors Member Ikuina Akiko, and House of Councillors Member Hamada Satoshi.