When meeting with Japanese Parliamentarians Shindo Yoshitaka and Mikio Shimoji on June 28 at the Office of the President, President Chen Shui-bian again thanked the Japanese government for its long-time support for Taiwan.
The president was referring to the events that Japan in 2004 voted in the World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting in favor of Taiwan's bid to participate in the WHA, and in 2005 included the issue of the Taiwan Strait into the strategic goals of the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee and granted permanent visa-free status for Taiwan passport holders.
He also pointed out to his guests that the Taiwan-Japan trade in 2005 exceeded US$60 billion, with Japan enjoying a trade surplus topping US$30 billion. Therefore, he hoped the two guests' visit to Taiwan and their support could help correct the trade imbalance between the two countries.
Parliamentarians Mikio Shimoji and Shindo Yoshitaka's visit to the Office of the President was accompanied by Taiwan's Vice Foreign Minister Chang Siao-yue.