President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated Oct. 22 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sweeping victory of his Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition in Japan’s recent general election that maintained its two-thirds majority in the 465-member House of Representatives.
“Japan and Taiwan are neighbors, with frequent people-to-people interactions and a close relationship that fosters meaningful cooperation and exchanges,” Tsai said in a message relayed by Chiou I-jen, president of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, to Mikio Numata, chief representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.
The president also thanked Abe for supporting Taiwan-Japan cooperation and the country’s participation in international organizations and activities. Under the prime minister’s leadership, it is expected bilateral ties will further deepen and develop for the well-being of the people in both nations, as well as maintain regional stability and prosperity, she added.
Similar sentiments were contained in a statement released Oct. 23 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Relations between Taiwan and Japan have gone from strength to strength in recent years, the MOFA said, adding that the election result augurs well for the future of bilateral exchanges and Japan’s economy.
Abe’s victory gives him a historic third term as prime minister and the opportunity to become Japan’s longest serving leader of the post-World War II era if he continues until November 2019. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw