Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from Japan’s Conservative Party April 18 in Taipei City, and exchanged views with the guests on cooperation between Taiwan and Japan on economy, industry, trade among other issues.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group was led by Naoki Hyakuta, CP leader. Other prominent members included Kaori Arimoto secretary-general, and Katsuhiko Umehara, consultant.
In remarks, Lin expressed gratitude to the party for advocacy to formulate a Japanese version of the Taiwan Relations Act as a party policy. The minister further indicated that both Taiwan and Japan occupy a strategic position in the first island chain and as such national defense security for both is closely related.
Lin voiced appreciation for Japan’s support for Taiwan on international platforms such as the U.S.-Japan summit February 7 in Washinton D.C. and the U.S.-Japan-Republic of Korea trilateral meeting February 15 in Munich. In post-meeting statements, Japan reiterated the importance of cross-strait peace, opposition to unilateral change of the status quo and support of Taiwan’s international participation.
Hyakuta said that Taiwan and Japan are close partners that can jointly respond to regional threats posed by authoritarian regimes such as China. He pledged that his party would deepen exchange with both the Taiwan government and civil groups. (POC-E)
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