The stable relationship between Taiwan and Japan would not waver, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi said during his meeting with President William Lai (賴清德) in Taipei yesterday, while Lai expressed the hope that the bilateral friendship would continue to grow.
Lai met with Ohashi at the Presidential Office, saying that he expects Taiwan and Japan, who are in a strong partnership, to “unfurl the democratic umbrella jointly with other democratic partners” to foster democracy, peace and prosperity in the world.
Taiwan and Japan have signed bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding in many fields under the framework established by the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, since Ohashi became chairman in 2011, he said.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
The growing friendship between Taiwan and Japan was evident in the attendance of Japanese officials at the Taiwanese presidential inauguration in May — the most ever — and in the visits to Taiwan by more than 40 Japanese lawmakers since then, Lai said.
He also thanked the Japanese government for “often publicly expressing support for Taiwan’s international participation,” saying that “Taiwan would continue to fight for a place in regional economic and trade cooperative systems, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
“Taiwan would also step up efforts to sign bilateral economic and trade agreements with Japan,” Lai said, adding that he hopes the Japanese government would continue to back Taiwan.
Ohashi said in his address that he has been on friendly terms with Lai since long before he was elected president, and that he looked forward to working with Lai to bolster Taiwan-Japan relations especially at this critical stage for both sides.
Although Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has chosen not to seek re-election, Taiwan and Japan’s relationship would remain unfaltering and continue to grow no matter who is elected to replace him, he said.
Yesterday also marked the 100th day of the Lai administration.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Lai wrote about the benchmark, saying that he and his Cabinet would “relentlessly lead democratic Taiwan to engage the world” and that it is his greatest honor in a lifetime to be able to serve the people of Taiwan.
“The first 100 days are just a start, and I expect to spend hundreds more ahead with all of you,” he said.
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