Last year in July, when Taiwanese presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou, then mayor of Taipei, visited Japan, his reception by Japanese lawmakers and the media was, at times, chilly.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Ma's grilling by the Diet for being 'anti-Japanese' dominated local headlines.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>But as the opposition Nationalist Party lawmaker wrapped up another three-day visit to Japan on Friday, he seemed to have won converts among Japan's power brokers.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>One of the many signs that Tokyo is warming to Ma was a secret meeting between the Kuomintang –

front-runner and "multiple Japanese government officials" Thursday. The meeting ranks as a first, a source in Ma's entourage said.

That Tokyo would risk a row with China by allowing Cabinet officials to meet a Taiwanese presidential candidate speaks volumes about Japan's attitude toward Ma.

It would appear Tokyo attaches great importance to Ma and his ideas for boosting relations as, possibly, Taiwan's next president.

Japan switched recognition in 1972 from Taipei to Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and frowns on official exchanges between Taiwan and other countries.