TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A retired top officer from Japan’s Self-Defense forces has been appointed political adviser to Taiwan’s government, reports said Friday.

Iwasaki Shigeru served as chief of the Joint Staff of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces from 2012 to 2014, the China Times reported. Taiwan appointed the former Air Force chief as a political consultant earlier this month.

The position is unpaid and lasts for one year. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) already met Iwasaki for his appointment to the job, the Asahi Shimbun reported.

After his retirement from Japan’s military, Iwasaki continued to play a role in Japanese defense policy. His new function in Taiwan is likely to reinforce strategic cooperation between the two countries, but could also raise questions from China, according to the Japanese media.

Until now, Nozaki Takao, the founder of a ramen restaurant chain based in Tainan, was the only Japanese citizen to have been appointed advisor to the Taiwan government.