That a great-grandfather of Japan’s next prime minister operated stores in Keelung in the late 19th century has sparked hope that the historical link could bring the two nations closer together.
The election of former Japanese minister of foreign affairs Fumio Kishida as the Liberal Democratic Party’s leader on Wednesday has sparked excitement in Taiwan, as he has repeatedly expressed support for Taiwan.
However, Kishida’s connection with the nation runs deeper than words, with traces of his family’s business still standing on a street corner in central Keelung.
At the intersection of what is now Sin 2nd Road (信二路) and Yi 2nd Road