The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) came under fire Monday when a string of opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers lambasted the ministry, accusing it of treating a visiting former Japanese prime minister in an undignified manner the previous week. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to Taiwan Oct. 31 on the inaugural direct flight between the two nations' capitals after a 31-year hiatus and to visit the Taipei International Flora Exposition. Coming from a family with a long line of political connections, the former premier still maintains a high level of clout in Japanese political circles and is known for his amity toward Taiwan. According to the DPP, after attending a reception hosted by President Ma Ying- jeou on the day of his arrival, Abe and his entourage rode in a taxi without any accompaniment or protection provided by MOFA to attend a private appointment. Accusing the ministry of being 'undiplomatic, ' DPP Legislator Chen Ying, who provided a video showing Abe taking the cab, said such 'careless arrangement' not only put Abe's security at risk but also highlighted the 'incompetence' of Taiwan's foreign service. Chen said the government dispatched a 7,000-man security detail for top Chinese envoy Chen Yun-lin when he visited Taiwan last year, whereas Abe only had around 30 plus security personnel during his trip. Another DPP legislator, Chiu Yi-ying, also blasted the ministry for 'lying' about Abe's taxi ride when quizzed by the press after the news first broke. However, Taiwan's representative to Japan John Feng denied any wrongdoing, pointing out that Abe issued specific instructions that he did not wish any official protection after the reception because he was undertaking a personal errand. According to Feng, the ex-premier was 'very satisfied' with his Taiwan visit, which he described as 'extremely successful, ' and he expressed regret for any unnecessary fuss that his cab ride caused. In a strong defense of the ministry, lawmakers from the ruling Kuomintang commended the MOFA for doing the right thing by honoring the request of an important foreign dignitary who was entitled to have personal time without the supervision of security agents. The two countries severed official relations in 1972, but bilateral ties have seen many milestones in recent years. In addition to the resumption of direct flights between Taipei and Tokyo last month, Republic of China passport holders since 2005 have been able to enter Japan and stay for up to a month visa-free. Last year, Taiwan and Japan also signed a youth working-holiday program. Japanese nationals remain the biggest source of foreign tourists to Taiwan, and Japan ranks top in an opinion poll on Taiwanese people's favorite destination, said Feng. Ma designated 2009 as a 'special partnership year' with Japan and has repeatedly lauded the strong cultural and social links shared by the two countries. 