President Lai Ching-te hopes to strengthen partnership with Japan across the board to counter authoritarian aggression.
Lai made the remarks while receiving a delegation led by Takako Suzuki at the Presidential Office Aug. 20 in Taipei City. Suzuki is a member of Japan’s House of Representatives and director of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Youth Division.
At the meeting, Lai referenced Suzuki’s April visit to Taiwan, during which she presented the register of Japan’s donations following the April 3 Hualien earthquake to then President Tsai Ing-wen, adding that Suzuki will travel to Hualien to witness reconstruction efforts and promote Hualien tourism as part of her current trip.
The president mentioned the 7.1 magnitude earthquake Japan experienced earlier this month and extended concern and well wishes on behalf of the Taiwan people. Such mutual care and reciprocal assistance underscore the solid bilateral partnership, Lai said.
Lai also expressed appreciation to Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has repeatedly stressed that peace in the Taiwan Strait is indispensable for global prosperity.
The president said Taiwan would continue to enhance its national defense capabilities and economic resilience to ensure national security, adding that he hopes Japan continues to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
In response, Suzuki said that Japan was very impressed with Team Taiwan’s exceptional performance in the recent 2024 Paris Olympic Games and lauded the government’s celebration of its athletes.
Suzuki also took the opportunity to thank Frank Chang-ting Hsieh, former head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Japan, for his dedication during his eight-year tenure, adding that she looked forward to cooperating closely with Lee Yi-yang, the new representative.
Earlier the same day, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim received Suzuki and her delegation and anticipated further deepening of the two-way ties, the PO added. (POC-E)
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