A wave of visits to Taiwan by Japanese lawmakers is underway, underscoring the close ties between Tokyo and Taipei and drawing a sharp response from Beijing.
Koichi Hagiuda, a senior figure in Japan¡¯s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, met with Taiwan¡¯s President Lai Ching-te on Monday. Hagiuda described relations as ¡°the best they have ever been,¡± according to a statement from Taiwan¡¯s Presidential Office. Lai said he hoped to further deepen cooperation and that the two sides could come together to advance a ¡°free and open Indo-Pacific.¡±
Visits by Japanese lawmakers to Taiwan are not unusual, but the current round comes at a time of heightened tensions between Japan and China over Taiwan. Last month, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan¡¯s military could theoretically be deployed if China were to attack Taiwan, prompting a fierce response from Beijing ¡ª including limits on Chinese tourists traveling to Japan and public criticism of Takaichi.
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