A high-profile delegation organized by Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) arrived in Tokyo Sunday to reach out to Japanese politicians from across the political spectrum. Addressing a welcoming party sponsored by Taiwanese expatriate groups, DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said the party has managed to emerge from the ashes of its embarrassing defeats in the presidential and legislative elections in 2008 with gains in the recent mayoral and magistrate elections. Thanks to concerted efforts of party members and many young volunteers, Tsai said, the party not only retained its control in three southern Taiwan counties but also reclaimed the northeastern county of Yilan. With limited resources, the DPP had to rely on small donations from passionate supporters to finance its campaign activities, she said. Despite all the hardships, Tsai said she was gratified with the maturity of Taiwanese voters shown in the Dec. 5 local elections -- a trend that will contribute to Taiwan's democratic development. Touching on next year's mayoral elections for five special municipalities that account for 60 percent of Taiwan's population, Tsai said the DPP will finalize a slate of its best candidates for the races by next March. She further indicated that the DPP will come up with a forward-looking platform to win the hearts and minds of Taiwanese voters. The platform will lay out the party's visions for international and regional situations as well as the development of relations across the Taiwan Strait. It will also present strategies to tackle problems related to environmental protection, aging population, and technological upgrading, Tsai added. In addition to meeting with Japanese political figures, Tsai will also give speeches and news conference during her stay. The delegation, composed of more than 20 DPP heavyweights, including two former Taiwanese representatives to Japan Lo Fu-chuan and Koh Se-kai, is scheduled to wrap up its visit Dec. 16. 