TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Abe Akie, widow of the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, visited Kaohsiung on Saturday to lay flowers at a bronze statue of her husband.

Abe was part of a delegation of more than 70 people visiting Hongmaogang Bao’an Temple in Kaohsiung’s Fengshan District, CNA reported. She was accompanied by Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Chair Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲), and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁).

Abe thanked Taiwanese people for their affection toward her husband, saying she was deeply touched by how grateful they remain to him. She said that upon arriving at the venue, someone greeted her by saying, “Welcome home,” which moved her greatly.

She said this was her fourth visit to Bao’an Temple to lay flowers at the statue. Since there is no similar statue of Abe Shinzo in Japan, she said she feels emotional every time she visits the temple and sees the monument, according to CNA.

Although her husband has died, she said she believes his spirit remains with everyone, and said she planned to bring more people to visit the temple in the future.

Abe also expressed hope that relations between Taiwan and Japan would continue improving. She pledged to do everything she could to promote exchanges.

Hsieh said his tenure as Taiwan’s representative to Japan overlapped with Abe Shinzo’s time as prime minister. He said he felt the late prime minister’s goodwill and friendliness toward Taiwan, describing him as “the most Taiwan-friendly prime minister in history.” He added that the bronze statue represents the Taiwanese public’s gratitude and remembrance of Abe Shinzo.