Former Taiwan premier in delegation for Shinzo Abe state funeral in Tokyo
- Island’s former parliament speaker Wang Jin-pyng, former premier Frank Hsieh and Su Jia-chyuan, who heads Taipei-Tokyo relations body, will attend
- Abe was a popular figure in Taiwan for his support of the island even though Japan, like most countries, has formal diplomatic relations with Beijing, not Taipei
01:53
State funeral for former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe faces growing public backlash
Taiwan’s presidential office said the delegation would consist of former parliament speaker Wang Jin-pyng, former premier Frank Hsieh who is now the de facto ambassador to Japan and Su Jia-chyuan, who heads a body in charge of relations with Tokyo in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
The three had a “deep friendship and close interaction” with Abe for many years, and their attendance fully demonstrated the firm friendship between Taiwan and Japan, office spokesman Xavier Chang said in a statement.
The state funeral will take place on September 27.
Abe was a popular figure in Taiwan for his support of the island, although Japan, like most countries, has formal diplomatic relations with Beijing, not Taipei.