President Ma commented that House of Councillors Member Fujii plays a decisive role in Japan's political arena and is an outstanding friend to Taiwan. This trip marks his 12th visit to the ROC, demonstrating his deep concern for Taiwan, the president said.
The president said that when he visited Japan two years ago, he met with then House of Representatives Member Yasuo Fukuda and Foreign Minister Taro Aso, with those discussions enabling him to better understand their political philosophies. President Ma noted that upon assuming the presidency, what he learned from those meetings was important in promoting development of relations between Taiwan and Japan. Relations between the two countries are moving forward in a steady manner based on their existing foundation. He specifically pointed to efforts made by former ROC Representative to Japan Koh Se-kai that paved the way for both countries to extend visa-free courtesies to tourists of each country to the other as well as mutual recognition of drivers' licenses. House of Councillors Member Fujii played an instrumental support in rallying support across party lines for these initiatives, enabling these bills to be passed, the president said, adding that although the two countries have no formal diplomatic relations, the relationship between Taiwan and Japan constitutes a special partnership.
President Ma pointed to several factors that have helped create this special partnership, including bilateral trade topping US$60 billion and visits between the two countries numbering over 2.54 million. The president said that besides English, Japanese is the most widely spoken foreign language in Taiwan and that the people of Taiwan have an affinity for Japan. These are the important factors underpinning development of relations between the two nations, he added. Since taking office, the new administration has sought to take advantage of these positive factors to promote bilateral relations, President Ma said.
House of Councillors Member Fujii expressed his appreciation to President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. He also seconded the President's statement referring to the relationship between Taiwan and Japan as being a special partnership. He stressed that he will continue to promote cooperation and interaction between Taiwan and Japan, fostering greater wellbeing for the people of the two countries.
House of Councillors Member Fujii was accompanied to the Presidential Office in the afternoon by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrew Li-Yan Hsia and Taiwan Representative to Japan John Feng to meet President Ma. Also present at the meeting was National Security Council Secretary-General Su Chi.