President Lai Ching-te met the new Chair of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Shuzo Sumi, who was sworn in this year, Sept. 16 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. Kazuyuki Katayama, head of JTEA’s Taipei Office, and Ger Bau-shuan, vice foreign minister, also attended.
JTEA and its counterpart, the MOFA Taiwan-Japan Relations Association have long played important roles in facilitating bilateral exchange, Lai said, adding that he hoped that the two sides would expedite signature of an economic partnership agreement in addition to compounding cooperation in culture, economy, technology and tourism.
The president thanked the Japanese government for openly stating the importance of cross-strait peace, as well as for its long-standing support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations including the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Organization.
In response, Sumi noted that Taiwan and Japan shared the same values while both facing similar challenges such as an aging society, a low birth rate and a labor shortage. He looked forward to joining forces with Taiwan to address these issues. (POC-E)
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