Han Kuo-yu meets Japanese lawmakers to boost tourism and trade ties

Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu hosted a formal banquet in Taipei today for Keiji Furuya, chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Parliamentary Group, and his cross-party delegation of visiting Japanese lawmakers. The meeting not only highlighted the long-standing deep ties between the legislatures and civil societies of both sides but also focused on substantive exchanges in the post-pandemic era. The discussions covered the protection of the rights of travelers from Taiwan visiting Japan, deepened cooperation in industrial supply chains, and the comprehensive upgrading of exchanges in tourism and economic trade. During the banquet, Han specifically thanked the Japanese lawmakers for their long-standing support of Taiwan’s international participation and various pro-Taiwan bills. He expressed hope that through a dense network of parliamentary diplomacy, the bilateral partnership could be elevated to a new height.

A core focus of the talks was tourism exchange and the rights of the public. According to statistics from the Ministry of Transportation’s Tourism Bureau and Japanese authorities, the number of trips made by Taiwanese residents to Japan has continued to set new records since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, with explosive growth observed this year. Taiwanese tourists have consistently served as a vital external driver for the recovery of Japan’s local economies and tourism industry. Han conveyed his sincere hope to Furuya and his delegation that the Japanese government and local lawmakers would continue to provide greater care, security, and necessary assistance to Taiwanese tourists in Japan. This issue not only pertains to the travel experience of Taiwanese citizens but also directly reflects the close people-to-people trust and spirit of mutual aid between the two sides, fostering warmer emotional bonds through every substantive interaction.

Beyond tourism, economic trade and industrial cooperation were also major themes of the dinner. In recent years, Taiwanese enterprises have actively expanded their global footprint, with Japan emerging as a key destination for overseas investment due to its stable rule of law, mature technological foundation, and geographic advantages. Han specifically appealed to the Japanese lawmakers, hoping that these steadfast pro-Taiwan parliamentary leaders would continue to play a crucial bridging role in the political arena, assisting Taiwanese companies in securing a more favorable and competitive investment environment in the Japanese market. Whether in the extension of semiconductor supply chains, the upgrading of traditional manufacturing, or emerging fields such as green energy and digital technology, deepened cooperation leveraging each side’s strengths would allow the two sides to achieve mutual benefits amid the volatile global economic landscape.

The Japan-Taiwan Friendship Parliamentary Group has long played a pivotal role in advancing substantive relations between the two sides. Chairman Keiji Furuya is a long-time friend of the Taiwanese political scene who has worked on the front lines of cross-strait exchanges for years, consistently offering firm support for Taiwan in the face of challenges in the international community. Furuya’s visit with his delegation, and his meetings with Speaker Han and cross-party legislators, fully demonstrated the Japanese parliament’s strong support for Taiwan’s democratic society, transcending party lines. This form of parliamentary diplomacy, centered on lawmakers, often helps overcome certain limitations of traditional diplomacy, paving the way for practical dialogues between the two governments in areas such as health, culture, disaster prevention, and economic trade. It serves as an indispensable adhesive for maintaining security in the Taiwan Strait and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Looking back at recent interactions, relations between the two sides have evolved beyond simple economic and trade exchanges into a community of shared fate based on common values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. From the past cycle of mutual civil assistance to the current comprehensive alignment across business, government, academia, and research, the relationship has served as a model for peace in the Asia-Pacific region. By hosting this banquet for Japanese political figures in his capacity as Speaker of the Legislative Yuan, Han not only fulfilled the duties of a gracious host but also sought to consolidate the bond between the two sides through high-level dialogue. Looking ahead, with the continued recovery of tourism flows and the deepening of industrial cooperation, the two sides are expected to create more diverse and forward-looking opportunities for cooperation on their solid existing foundation, benefiting the citizens of both countries.

(Source: Central News Agency)