Taiwan premier makes first Japan visit since 1972, defying China

Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai said he was in Tokyo to watch the game between Taiwan and the Czech Republic on March 7 and paid for the trip out of his own pocket. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

TOKYO/TAIPEH (Bloomberg): Taiwan’s premier made a personal trip to Japan and appeared in public to watch the island’s baseball team in action, a rare visit that risks deteriorating Tokyo’s ties with China further.

Premier Cho Jung-tai said he was in Tokyo to watch the game between Taiwan and the Czech Republic on Saturday and paid for the trip out of his own pocket, he told reporters in Taipei on Sunday.