TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) confirmed Tuesday (Nov. 25) that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) ordered a national policy advisory group to visit Japan. The directive aims to boost Japanese and domestic tourism after Chinese travel restrictions followed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's (高市早苗) Taiwan contingency statement. Cho addressed the initiative during a Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, interview, clarifying misunderstandings from domestic tourism industries.
The government will launch tourism incentive measures in March to strengthen domestic demand, Cho said. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) developed discounts for weekday accommodations, birthday stays, amusement park overnights, corporate travel incentives, and Taiwan PASS weekday travel deals. Cho clarified President Lai hopes travelers choosing foreign destinations will select Japan while domestic tourists support local tourism.
Cho cited Taoyuan's Breezy Blue Train (藍皮解憂號) as an example of boosting domestic tourism. The premier criticized opposition parties for dismissing the Executive Yuan's, Taiwan's cabinet, version of the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures (財政收支劃分法), accusing them of breaking promises and risking bankruptcy. The Executive Yuan will discuss the act with local governments this week to present figures proving benefits exceed the 2025 fiscal year. ◼
