Taipei: Taiwan’s close relations with Japan are anticipated to remain steady regardless of the outcome of the leadership election for Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4. A Taiwanese diplomat responsible for Japanese affairs asserted this on Tuesday. The leadership race for Japan’s main ruling LDP began officially on Monday, with the winner set to become the next prime minister of Japan.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Secretary-General, Chang Jen-joe, addressed a press briefing where he dismissed reports suggesting that some candidates are perceived as more “China-friendly.” Chang clarified that a Japanese lawmaker’s membership in the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union does not automatically indicate a pro-China stance. He emphasized that all candidates have shown significant interest in enhancing Japan’s relations with Taiwan, and he expects this to continue irrespective of the election outcome.
One of the candidates, Yoshimasa Hayashi, was previously the head of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union but stepped down from the role after being appointed as the foreign minister in December 2021, amid concerns about a “pro-China” label. Meanwhile, candidates Takayuki Kobayashi and Takaichi Sanae made visits to Taiwan in June and April this year, respectively, whereas Shinjiro Koizumi last visited Taiwan in 2013 as the LDP’s youth division chief.
The five candidates are vying to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who initiated the LDP’s presidential election by announcing his resignation earlier this month. Ishiba faced increased pressure from within his party to take responsibility for consecutive election defeats.
