President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi and his delegation on Tuesday. Ohashi said he believes Taiwan and Japan share the closest bilateral relationship, and Lai added that it could be a model for the rest of the world.
In his statement, Lai first thanked Ohashi and the Japanese people for their long-term contribution to enhancing Taiwan-Japan relations. Lai pointed out that more Japanese Diet members attended his inauguration ceremony than any inauguration before, and over 40 have visited him since. Lai said he interprets this as deepening the friendship between Taiwan and Japan.
As Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) has completed his eight-year term and new Representative to Japan Lee I-yang (李逸洋) prepares to take his place, Lai asked Ohashi to work together with Lee to create new opportunities between Taiwan and Japan.
Ohashi emphasized that while relationships between neighboring countries are often strained, the friendship between Japan and Taiwan is a rare one that serves as a model for the rest of the world. Lai added that if the rest of the world could share the same friendship there would be no war.
Ohashi expressed his commitment to further strengthening relations, and shared his outlook that Japan will uphold its position regardless of who is elected as the next prime minister.