Kuomintang (KMT) vice chairman Chang Jung-kung met former Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba and other lawmakers in Japan on September 16, with Ishiba voicing hope of meeting KMT chair 
Cheng Li-wun. Chang also called on Japanese Olympic Committee president Seiko Hashimoto, a House of Councillors member, lawmaker Shojiro Hiranuma and former lawmaker Yamato Aoyama. The trip followed Cheng's late-July appearance, at the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's invitation, at a donation ceremony for Japan's Kumamoto earthquake, where she donated in her own name, the Liberty Times reported.
What did Chang tell his hosts? At every meeting Chang told his hosts that Taiwan has a responsibility to improve cross-strait relations and keep the Taiwan Strait peaceful and stable, the KMT said in a press release carried by CNA. He described the goal of Cheng's cross-strait line as ensuring that "if Taiwan is fine, Japan is fine," without causing trouble for Japan and other neighbours. With Ishiba, he said the party seeks to improve cross-strait relations on the basis of the "1992 Consensus" and opposition to Taiwanese independence, a position grounded in the Republic of China constitution. True friendship means putting friends at ease, he said, so Taiwan should find ways to ease cross-strait relations.
What did Ishiba say? Ishiba recalled his past dealings with former KMT leaders, among them two late presidents, and said Japan should better understand the cross-strait position the party bases on the ROC constitution, CNA reported. He said he wished to keep exchanging views with the KMT, and that, having followed coverage of Cheng's visit to mainland China and her remarks there, he hoped for a chance to meet her.
What else was discussed? The two sides talked about cross-strait relations, China-Japan relations and Taiwan-Japan cooperation on sport and youth, and agreed to strengthen exchanges and expand contact, the party said. Chang told Hashimoto that relations among Taiwan, Japan and mainland China are complicated and that sports exchange is the best entry point. He said many Taiwanese tourists visit Hokkaido, which is also a good training ground for Taiwanese snow-sports athletes. Hashimoto, drawing on her background as an athlete, said bilateral ties could build on many areas, especially sport, and voiced regard for Taiwan's bicycle industry. With Hiranuma, head of the Liberal Democratic Party's youth bureau, and Aoyama, a former head of the Constitutional Democratic Party's youth bureau, Chang discussed youth exchanges and local elections in Taiwan and Japan.
Figures referenced: Cheng Li-wun. — JudgeMarket.
