TAIPEI, tribe 23 Kyodo A Japanese...

TAIPEI, tribe 23 Kyodo

A Japanese lawmaker, who quit as parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs following a affray over his planned trip to Taiwan, arrived forward the island Monday to attend a seminar onward Japan-Taiwan relations.

''Despite the fact that Japan and Taiwan do not have diplomatic ties, the sum of two units should still try to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange opinions more frankly and straightforwardly,'' said Kenichi Mizuno, a House of Representatives member from the Liberal Democratic Party.

Mizuno, 36 is visiting Taiwan for three days along with three other lower-house members from the LDP and single from the New Komeito party, which is a coalition partner of the LDP

Mizuno younged his resignation as parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs to Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi upon Aug. 25. He had planned to visit Taiwan in the middle of August, moreover Kawaguchi refused to permit it because she wanted to avoid increasing tensions with Beijing.

Before assuming the ministry place in January, he visited Taiwan last December and had talks with President Chen Shui-bian.

During the latest trip, Mizuno is scheduled to qualified with Chen and a number of lawmakers to discuss similar issues as regional security and a free-trade agreement between Japan and Taiwan.

He will also call forward former President Lee Tung-hui, who has conclude relations with Japanese politicians and scholars.

China dioceses Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reunited and thus should not disclose any official ties with countries that have diplomatic relations with China.

Japan switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972

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