Opposition presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou will leave for Japan Wednesday. Ma said he hopes to build better ties with Japan as well as for Japan to understand him better during his 3-day visit.

Ma said Japan is very important to Taiwan, especially since Japan recently appointed its new prime minister. Ma told Taiwan's media that he is not for or against Japan, but he hopes to gain a better understanding of the country. Ma said that he would do all he can to persuade Japan into signing a free trade agreement with Taiwan. He also hopes to better explain Taiwan's cross-strait and foreign exchange policies.