With the Taipei mayoral race approaching, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Puma Shen has returned to Taiwan after a four-day visit to Japan, laying the groundwork for Taiwan-Japan cooperation on security and urban governance — a positive signal for relations between the two sides.

• Shen discussed AI, industry, undersea cables, lawfare and cognitive warfare with Japanese parliamentarians.
• Undersea cable security and cognitive warfare were the focus, both directly related to China's pressure on Taiwan.
• On municipal affairs, the delegation studied Tokyo's smoke-free city policy, its child abuse protection mechanisms and free school meals.
• He also spoke with local industry about Taipei's talent repatriation and urban renewal issues.
• The delegation established a Japanese support association, and several Japanese lawmakers subsequently made return visits to Taiwan.

Outlook: Further exchanges between Taiwanese and Japanese lawmakers are expected to continue, but because of the sensitivity of his status during the election campaign, the format of such interactions will have to be arranged separately.