TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Ahead of her expected appointment as Japan’s first female prime minister, Liberal Democratic Party President Takaichi Sanae is treading a careful path on Taiwan policy, Nikkei Asia reported Thursday.
The LDP, under Takaichi’s leadership, will send a parliamentary delegation to Taiwan this week to participate in National Day events, but the group will exclude any high-ranking figures who may soon join her cabinet. The move is seen as an effort to maintain ties with Taiwan without provoking a backlash from China.
Thirty-one lawmakers from across party lines are set to visit Taipei on Thursday and Friday to mark the country’s Double Ten Day. The group will include 14 members from the LDP and representatives from the Constitutional Democratic Party, Japan Innovation Party, and Democratic Party for the People.
The mission will be led by Furuya Keiji, the LDP’s chief election strategist and chair of the Japan-Taiwan Diet Members’ Consultative Council. However, former Defense Minister Kihara Minoru, seen as a potential chief cabinet secretary in the new administration, will not participate, despite holding a leadership post in the same pro-Taiwan group.
That omission underscores the cautious approach of Takaichi’s camp, which aims to strengthen unofficial exchanges with Taiwan while avoiding diplomatic friction with Beijing.
“If he is not a high-ranking government official and does not engage in diplomatic exchanges, the visit should not be criticized by China,” a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said, regarding Furuya’s participation.
Japan maintains that its relations with Taiwan are non-governmental and working-level. However, in recent years, Japan and Taiwan have deepened cooperation on technology and maritime safety, often to counter China’s regional assertiveness.
Takaichi, known for her conservative views and emphasis on national security, has long shown support for Taiwan. She visited Taipei in April, before the LDP leadership race, where she met President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and called for building a clean and secure supply chain between Japan and Taiwan.
In a policy article published by US think tank Hudson Institute, Takaichi stressed the need for “solid and candid” talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping while advocating unofficial ties with Taiwan.
Takaichi’s balancing act will likely continue after she assumes office. The APEC summit in South Korea from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 may present her first opportunity to meet Xi in person, a test of her diplomatic finesse at a time of rising China-Taiwan tensions.
Tokyo and Taipei have been drawing closer through discreet but growing cooperation. In July, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) made an unannounced visit to Japan and met with Furuya and Takaichi. A photo of the meeting posted on social media suggested informal coordination between the two sides.
Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) also traveled to Japan in September as a private citizen, while the Japanese and Taiwanese coast guards have stepped up exchanges on maritime safety and disaster response. Both nations are reportedly exploring more regular collaboration in rescue and emergency operations.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday called on Japan to support its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
“We hope Japan will provide even greater support and cooperation,” a ministry spokesperson said. Beijing, which has also applied for CPTPP membership, opposes Taiwan’s inclusion under its “One China” principle.
