First case after Taiwan-Japan severed diplomatic relations! Premier visits Tokyo to watch Taiwan team in the Classic Tournament, Bloomberg: China-Japan relations deteriorate

Last weekend, Premier Chen Chien-jen traveled to Tokyo, Japan, to watch the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Taiwan team game. He became the first Premier since the severance of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Japan in 1972 to publicly visit Japan. This move also drew dissatisfaction from Beijing, which lodged a protest with Japan. Chen stated that this trip was a “self-funded private trip” with the main purpose of cheering for the Taiwan team, and had no other political arrangements. However, internationally, it is widely interpreted that a sitting Premier publicly visiting Japan during their term carries significant symbolic meaning.

Bloomberg commented that this rare visit could further deteriorate the relationship between Tokyo and Beijing.

Self-funded Premier visits Tokyo to watch baseball: Says it’s only to support Taiwan team

Chen Chien-jen told the media in Taipei that he paid for all expenses himself to watch Taiwan’s game against the Czech Republic in Tokyo. He emphasized, “My only purpose is to cheer for the Taiwan team together with Taiwanese in Japan, with no other agenda.” This public appearance makes him the first Taiwanese Premier-level official to visit Japan publicly since the severance of diplomatic relations in 1972.

Diplomatic norms behind “private trips”

Unlike domestic opposition focusing on “who pays for the Premier’s overseas trips,” it is generally recognized internationally that “a third-ranking Taiwanese official visiting Japan during their term” symbolizes substantial progress in Taiwan-Japan diplomatic relations. Especially since Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura recently met with Palantir founder Peter Thiel, a defense AI company, and is about to meet with U.S. President Trump.

Due to Taiwan’s unique international status, “private trips” are a common diplomatic phrase. Exchanges with democratic countries are often framed as “routine visits” or “democratic partner exchanges.” As a result, China has continuously pressured to review visa policies for Taiwanese officials, explicitly aiming to close this loophole. Most European governments have refused China’s requests, but this is a clear narrative clash: Taiwan claims these are normal or even personal exchanges, while Beijing views them as political provocations.

Former Presidents, acting Presidents, and Vice Presidents visiting Latin America or allied countries often transit through the U.S., ostensibly for technical layovers or diaspora exchanges, but in reality, they meet with U.S. Congress members, governors, or think tanks.

Bloomberg: Beijing has expressed strong dissatisfaction to Japan

According to Bloomberg, China quickly expressed its displeasure. The report states that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong called Japan’s ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, to protest. Additionally, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi publicly stated during the National People’s Congress that Japan should not interfere in Taiwan affairs and warned that the “red line” on Taiwan must not be crossed, emphasizing that China’s reunification is “unstoppable.”

Sensitive Taiwan-Japan relations, high-level visits usually discreet

Visits by Taiwanese officials to Japan have always been sensitive, so related arrangements are typically kept low-profile. For example, in 2022, then-Vice President Lai Ching-te visited Japan in a “private capacity” to pay respects to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, becoming the highest-level Taiwanese official to visit Japan in over 50 years. In 2025, reports of Foreign Minister Joseph Wu’s visit to Japan also sparked protests from Beijing. Chen Chien-jen’s public appearance in Tokyo again highlights the heightened sensitivity of Taiwan-Japan interactions.

This article: “First case since Taiwan-Japan severed diplomatic relations! Premier visits Tokyo to watch Taiwan team at the Classic, Bloomberg: Japan-China relations worsen” was first published on Lian News ABMedia.