Vice President William Lai on Tuesday paid his final respects to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a state funeral service in Tokyo. Lai is Taiwan’s most senior government official to visit Japan in five decades.
Lai attended the funeral service with Taiwan’s representative to Japan, Frank Hsieh. On Monday Lai visited Zojoji Temple and Abe’s residence to offer condolences to the former prime minister’s family. He is expected to return to Taiwan Tuesday evening.
The foreign ministry described Lai’s visit as “private,” saying Lai and Abe were old friends. In May 2019, Lai visited Japan while running in the ruling party’s presidential primary. He did not hold an official title at that time. Lai met publicly during that trip with various dignitaries, including three former prime ministers. It is not clear whether he met with Abe, who was then in office.