TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Furuya Keiji, chair of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, expressed optimism about the future of Taiwan-Japan ties during talks with DPP Youth Department Director-General Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷) on Wednesday.

Furuya said that Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae places great importance on bilateral relations. She is also a senior member of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, according to a statement from Chen’s office.

On technology cooperation, Furuya said TSMC’s Kumamoto plant was a success. He pointed out that the factory helped the region achieve fiscal independence and that two pro-Taiwan lawmakers from the district — Kihara Minoru and Kaneko Yasushi — have joined the Cabinet as chief secretary and minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, respectively.

Furuya recalled Japan’s delivery of advanced technology during Taiwan’s flood disasters and Taiwan’s donation of N95 masks during the pandemic, followed by Japan’s vaccine assistance. This is a testament to the two countries’ bond of “true friendship in times of adversity,” he said.

Chen said that Japan was chosen as the youth department’s first overseas visit under the instruction of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), to deepen engagement with Japanese youth. He said the department will continue to promote Taiwan-Japan youth exchanges through education, sports, and cultural initiatives to strengthen the friendship between the two nations.