President Tsai Ing-wen said July 31 that the government is committed to strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations while working with the like-minded partner to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan is willing and able to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Japan, Tsai said. The public and private sectors are working with counterparts in Japan to create a more secure supply chain, as evidenced by a factory slated for construction in Kumamoto Prefecture by Hsinchu City-headquartered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation, she added.
The two sides are each other’s third-largest trade partner, Tsai said, adding that the country stands ready to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Tsai made the remarks while delivering an address during an academic forum co-staged by the Lee Teng-hui Foundation and Taiwan Thinktank in Taipei City. The event involved discussions on topics spanning the economy, diplomacy, history and trade of the two countries.
According to Tsai, people-to-people exchanges in areas like culture and education are thriving. Examples include a Taiwan-Japan memorandum of understanding on cultural exchanges and cooperation inked in 2017, the annual Taiwan study tour for young Japanese lawmakers hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the increasing number of exhibitions held in Taiwan that showcase works of Japan artists like Yoshitomo Nara, she said.
This is complemented by regular bilateral collaboration on regional security, she said, citing last week’s visit of a delegation of parliamentarians from Japan’s National Diet led by Shigeru Ishiba, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives and the country’s former defense minister.
Taiwan and Japan are critical lines of defense in the first island chain, Tsai said, adding that the two sides are dedicated to working together to safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Tsai took the opportunity to express condolences for the passing of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. She also paid tribute to the late President Lee Teng-hui for his efforts to deepen the two sides’ friendship. (YCH-E)
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