Taiwan's new president, Tsai Ing-wen, has appointed two high-ranking members of her party to handle the island's relations with Japan.
Former Premier Frank Hsieh will serve as Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Japan, the Presidential Office announced last Friday, while former Presidential Office Secretary-General Chiou I-jen will head the Association of East Asian Relations, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry-linked agency tasked with handling ties with Japan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations.
Commenting on Chiou's appointment, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Eleanor Wan said that, because Tsai relies heavily on Chiou's service, he is certain to "warm up" relations with Japan.