Premier Cho Jung-tai on Tuesday received a visiting delegation led by Takinami Hirofumi, a Liberal Democratic Party member of Japan's House of Councillors and chair of the TY Group, a pro-Taiwan group within the chamber. The premier extended his highest regard to Councillor Takinami, thanking him for regularly organizing TY Group delegations to visit Taiwan and for his continued efforts to promote pro-Taiwan voices within the House of Councillors. He also commended Councillor Takinami for frequently speaking up for Taiwan in Japan's National Diet, and for successfully advocating for the Japanese government to revise the family register system so that Taiwanese nationals with household registration records in Japan may list "Taiwan" as their place of origin.
Highlighting the strong complementary relationship between Taiwan and Japan, Premier Cho expressed his hope that the two sides can work together to build a robust industrial supply chain and strengthen cooperation in national strategy, regional affairs, social resilience, and high-tech and other economic sectors, in order to realize the vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."
Councillor Takinami noted that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Councillors unanimously passed a resolution supporting Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Organization (WHO). He anticipates that, building upon this shared conviction, the TY Group can continue to advance support within the National Diet for Taiwan's participation in international organizations.
Councillor Takinami further remarked that following the recent earthquake that struck Aomori Prefecture in Japan, Premier Cho promptly conveyed his condolences, demonstrating Taiwan and Japan's true friendship during times of need, and how each will extend a helping hand to the other when hardships arise. Comparing the Taiwan-Japan relationship to that of one family, Councillor Takinami expressed hope that bilateral ties can continue to deepen.