Taiwan's Premier Under Fire for Secret Tokyo Visit Taiwan's Premier, Cho Jung-tai, has found himself in a tricky situation after a private visit to Tokyo, Japan, to support Taiwan's baseball team at the World Baseball Classic. The trip sparked an outcry from Beijing, which has led to a heated debate in Taiwan. According to reports, Premier Cho jetted off to Tokyo on March 7, where he watched Taiwan trounce the Czech Republic 14-0 at the Tokyo Dome. He was back in Taipei the same day. This visit marked a significant development, as no sitting Taiwanese premier had visited Japan since the two countries severed official ties in 1972, with Tokyo switching its diplomatic recognition to Beijing. To justify his trip, Premier Cho claimed that it was a private affair, paid for out of his own pocket. He maintained that he had no other engagements while in Japan and solely went to support the baseball team. However, this explanation has not sat well with many, who are questioning the premier's judgment and the potential implications of such a high-profile visit. It's worth noting that similar diplomatic tensions exist between Nigeria and its northern neighbor, Chad. In 2018, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari visited the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, for a regional summit, despite Chad's recognition of the separatist Republic of Ambazonia in Cameroon's English-speaking region. This visit sparked a diplomatic row between Nigeria and Cameroon. While the Taiwanese government has maintained that Premier Cho's trip was a private affair, the incident has sparked debate about the blurred lines between official and personal activities for high-ranking officials. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this episode will impact Taiwan's diplomatic relationships, particularly with Beijing.