TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japan’s largest cross-party parliamentary group supporting Taiwan, the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, could change its name to the Japan-Taiwan Diet Members’ Consultative Council.
The proposal is scheduled to be discussed at the council’s annual general meeting on Thursday, Liberty Times reported.
According to a Kyodo News report, observers believe that if the new name is officially adopted, it would emphasize the council’s ties with Taiwan rather than the Republic of China. The move would also reflect Japan’s shift from symbolic exchanges to a more direct and pragmatic strategic partnership.
The group was originally founded as the Japan-ROC Relations Diet Members’ Consultative Council in 1973, one year after Japan severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan, per Liberty Times. Twenty-seven lawmakers founded the council, and about 300 lawmakers joined at the time.
In 1997, the group was reorganized into its current form. It is led by Furuya Keiji, who has long promoted deeper Japan-Taiwan relations and voiced support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
Furuya last visited Taiwan in March to attend the Yushan Forum and meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).
In a video message released Thursday, Lai thanked the council for making “every effort to speak up for Taiwan” and laying “a stronger foundation for bilateral exchanges and cooperation.”
