TAIPEI

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen surprised Japanese high school students and teachers on Wednesday, by making an unexpected appearance at the presidential office building.

A total of 60 second-grade high students and five teachers from Matsutyama Jonan High School in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, had traveled to Taiwan on a school trip for four days from Monday.

Taking pictures and shaking hands with the Japanese visitors, Tsai interacted with them for around 10 minutes.

She highlighted her love for cats, standing beside a life-size figure of herself embracing her cat and telling the Japanese travelers its name.

When Tsai asked if they had tapioca milk tea, students said, "Yes," with smiles on their faces.

The schedule of the high school party in Taiwan includes a meeting with local technical college students, a tour of the presidential office building, and making local steamed buns.

Taiwan is gaining popularity in Japan for school trips, supported by its reputation for security and public opinion favorable to Japan.

According to the latest survey by Japan's education ministry, 332 Japanese high schools visited Taiwan in fiscal 2017. Taiwan was the top overseas destination for high school trips, followed by the United States, with 208 schools.

Jiji Press