TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Japanese Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday for a three-day visit, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his June 25–27 stay, the Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker is scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), and Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), per CNA.

Kobayashi served as minister of economic security from October 2021 to August 2022 and ran for the LDP leadership last year. The foreign ministry described him as a rising star in Japanese politics.

His trip follows the visit of another Japanese official, Mizutori Mami, a former special representative for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. During her June 21–24 visit, she attended a Global Cooperation and Training Framework event and met with Vice President Hsiao and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍).

The ministry also noted that the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, which manages Japan’s unofficial relations with Taiwan, welcomed a new chair for the first time in 14 years. Business leader Sumi Shuzo assumed the role on June 20.