April,29,2026

Happiness Realization Party Announces a Draft “Japan Version of the Taiwan Travel Act”

April 17, 2026

At a press conference held at the Taiwan Legislative Yuan on April 17, the Happiness Realization Party (Party Leader: Ryoko Shaku) announced a draft bill titled the “Act on the Development of Exchanges with Taiwan” (a “Japan Version of the Taiwan Travel Act”). The event, titled “Press Conference on the Announcement of a Japan Version of the Taiwan Travel Act,” was jointly hosted by the Taiwan Society North and the HRP.

At the conference, Secretary-General Masatoshi Enatsu presented the draft and stated that “Through the cooperation of Japan and Taiwan –the two nations that share a common destiny and the value of “Freedom, Democracy and Faith” – they will be able to oppose the totalitarian nation, China, which harms the world, democratize it, and contribute to the happiness of humanity.” Enatsu also emphasized that “We want to change the current situation, in which the mutual visits and communication between the governments of Japan and Taiwan are virtually restricted. We want to have more smooth human traffic and communication, and development of a wider range of exchange. For that purpose, we propose to formulate the Taiwan Travel Act.”

In September 2024, the HRP became the first political party in Japan to formulate and announce a draft bill “Taiwan Relations Act” aimed at restoring diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, in light of the Japanese government’s response to China’s backlash against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statement, “a Taiwan contingency constitutes a situation threatening Japan’s survival,” the HRP has concluded that legislation of a “Taiwan Relations Act” would face significant challenges. As its preliminary stage, therefore, the HRP formulated the draft of “Japan Version of the Taiwan Travel Act.”

In addition, the “HRP Japan-Taiwan Local Assembly Members Group” (Chair: Kazumi Furukawa, City Councilor of Koga-city, Ibaraki Prefecture) conducted its third visit to Taiwan from April 14 to 17, 2026, continuing to deepen Japan–Taiwan exchanges. Going forward, the HRP will work to serve as a bridge between Japan and Taiwan and advocate for the enactment of the “Japan Version of the Taiwan Travel Act,” at the local assembly level as well, and to contribute to the realization of stronger bilateral relations between Japan and Taiwan, as well as peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.