Taiwanese media reports that for the first time since Taiwan and Japan broke off diplomatic relations in 1972, a sitting Premier of the Executive Yuan has visited Japan. In addition to watching a baseball game, he stayed in Tokyo for nearly five extra hours, raising the possibility of meetings with Japanese political figures. The Executive Yuan stated that this was Cho Jung-tai's private itinerary, making a round trip on his day off.
According to United Daily News, Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai took a chartered China Airlines flight and arrived in Japan on Saturday (March 7). Accompanied by Taiwan's representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang, and Sports Minister Lee Yang, he went to Tokyo Dome to watch the World Baseball Classic (WBC) game between Team Taiwan and Team Czech Republic.
As United Daily News learned, Cho Jung-tai did not take a regular commercial flight for this trip, but rather a chartered flight operated by China Airlines. The registered Airbus A321neo aircraft with tail number B-18122 flew from Taoyuan Airport in Taipei to Songshan Airport Friday night (6th) and stood by. On Saturday morning around 6 a.m., it departed from the Air Force Songshan Command VIP apron as flight CI-1888, arriving at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport at 9:30 a.m. local time.
Team Taiwan secured its first win with a 14–0 victory. After watching the game, Cho Jung-tai took the CI-1889 special flight on Saturday night, departing Taipei at 6:36 p.m. and arriving back at Songshan Airport at 9:46 p.m. local time. Excluding game time, Cho spent nearly five extra hours in Tokyo, leading to speculation that he may have met with Japanese political figures during this period.
Team Taiwan secured its first win with a 14–0 victory. After watching the game, Cho Jung-tai took the CI-1889 special flight on Saturday night, departing Taipei at 6:36 p.m. and arriving back at Songshan Airport at 9:46 p.m. local time. Excluding game time, Cho spent nearly five extra hours in Tokyo, leading to speculation that he may have met with Japanese political figures during this period.
In response, an Executive Yuan official revealed that this was Cho Jung-tai’s personal itinerary, making a round trip on his day off, with no further comment. It is understood that Taiwan and Japan have reached a tacit understanding not to disclose Cho Jung-tai’s whirlwind trip to Japan.
According to reports, renting a chartered A321neo aircraft costs about 1.5 million to 2 million New Taiwan dollars (approximately 186,000 to 248,000 Malaysian ringgit). The Executive Yuan has not yet responded to media inquiries regarding the specific costs of this chartered flight or who is covering the expenses.