Ex-Japan economic security minister to lead delegation to Taiwan

Taipei, April 25 (CNA) Sanae Takaichi, a Japanese Diet member and former economic security minister, will lead a delegation to Taiwan on Sunday for a three-day visit, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The delegation led by Takaichi will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Lai's predecessor Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to discuss bilateral relations and regional economic and security issues, MOFA said in a statement Friday.

In addition, the six-member delegation will meet with Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) and other Taiwanese lawmakers across party lines, MOFA said.

According to MOFA, the upcoming visit will not only demonstrate the group's support for Taiwan but also help strengthen security and economic links between Taiwan and Japan.

Takaichi has been a member of the Japanese House of Representatives for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 2005, and she served as the minister of state for economic security from 2022 to 2024 under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Takaichi was one of the frontrunners in the LDP's presidential race last year, but she ultimately lost in a tense run-off to fellow Diet member Shigeru Ishiba, who became prime minister.

The delegation will also include House of Representatives members Hitoshi Kikawada and Masanao Ozaki, as well as House of Councillors member Kei Sato, MOFA said.