Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with a 65-member delegation from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Monday morning at the Presidential Office. Head of the LDP's Youth Division and Japanese Diet member Norikazu Suzuki led the delegation which included seven other Diet members, members of the Youth Division and local representatives.
In his speech, Lai said the LDP's Youth Division is the hope for Japan’s future development. He said he was pleased to see the Youth Division’s close cooperation with Taiwan’s political circles, especially that with the Democratic Progressive Party.
Lai highlighted the significance of exchanges between Taiwan and Japan saying both countries mutually benefit from deeper relations. He pointed to the increased travel from both sides and the record high of US$88.2 billion in overall trade volume as examples. Lai also stressed the need to work together to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region so countries, and the world as a whole, can prosper.
In response, Suzuki said that not only do Taiwan and Japan have a true friendship but also share the universal values of human rights and democracy. He also stressed how peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is of great importance to Japan and the international community. He said that the Youth Division will continue with the foundation built by its predecessors to bring Taiwan-Japan relations to new heights.