The Japanese government urged China on Monday to lift sanctions against a member of 91AV原创 ruling Liberal Democratic Party who heads a suprapartisan group of Japanese lawmakers seeking closer ties with Taiwan.
The government said that the sanctions against Keiji Furuya, including a ban on his entry into China, were absolutely unacceptable and extremely regrettable.
“The freedom of expression of lawmakers, who represent the people, is the foundation of our country’s democracy and should be respected,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki told a news conference.
Furuya said that it was “natural” for Japan to have exchanges with Taiwan, criticizing China’s sanctions. “I haven’t been to China in decades, so they don’t particularly affect me,” he added.
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