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Premier Cho’s Trip to Japan Sparks Controversy
Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai's private trip to watch the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo sparked controversy over government resource use and calls for expense transparency.
- On March 7, Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai flew to Tokyo to watch the World Baseball Classic game vs the Czech Republic, marking the first incumbent premier visit since 1972.
- Local media reported details of the chartered China Airlines flight that departed Songshan airport from the ROCAF Songshan Base Command VIP ramp at 6:30am Saturday.
- Tokyo declined to comment while Beijing issued a strong rebuke, with Minoru Kihara saying Tokyo had no contact about the visit and China calling it 'evil designs' on March 9.
- KMT Deputy Secretary-General Lin Pei-hsiang demanded receipts and legal clarity, while Michelle Lee said Cho's trip was privately paid and properly authorized.
- Historical ties and prior private trips put the visit in broader context, as Japan–Taiwan unofficial ties stem from the historical period 1895–1945 and Taiwan government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.
11 Articles
11 Articles
For the first time in 54 years since Japan and Taiwan severed diplomatic ties in 1972, a top Taiwanese official publicly set foot on Japanese soil on the 7th. The stated purpose of the visit was to watch Taiwan's national baseball team play. This brief itinerary is creating significant diplomatic repercussions that go beyond a sporting event and are shaking up Northeast Asian geopolitics. At a regular briefing on the 9th (local time), the Chines…
The Japanese government stated on Monday, March 9, that Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai had no contact with executive officials during a visit to Japan this weekend on March 7 and 8, 2026, during which he attended a baseball game in Tokyo.
Observador
IOL PortugalTaiwan's prime minister visited Japan on Saturday and attended a baseball game, however, he had no contact with Japanese executives. Pequim has not responded yet.
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