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President Tsai Ing-wen met on the afternoon of October 10 with a National Day congratulatory delegation from the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association led by the association's Chairman Seishiro Eto, Member of the Japanese House of the Representatives. The president said that Taiwan and Japan stand together on the front lines of the fight to defend democratic values, freedom, and human rights, and that she hopes Japan will continue to exert its influence in the Indo-Pacific region and work with Taiwan to uphold our shared values.
In remarks, President Tsai first welcomed her visitors to Taiwan to participate in our National Day celebrations, and said she was especially delighted to see Chairman Eto for the second time in just two months.
The president pointed out that Chairman Eto is an old friend of Taiwan who has contributed over many years to the betterment of Taiwan-Japan relations. Noting that he has served in the past as vice chairman of the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council, then became chairman of the East Asian Friendship Association this past May and formally changed the organization's name to the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association, President Tsai thanked him sincerely for all he has done.
President Tsai said that the close exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Japan are the result of the collective efforts of many people. The Friendship Association has now also gone beyond just changing its name, and expanded participation by members from the Japanese Diet as well as local elective bodies.
The president further stated that over the past year, Taiwan and Japan have faced more and more of the same issues. For example, we are both affected by extreme weather. Besides showing mutual concern and sympathy, we are also working together to improve our disaster prevention and rescue capabilities.
President Tsai pointed out that opportunities for enhancing Taiwan-Japan industrial cooperation are also becoming clearer. The "5+2 industrial innovation program" that Taiwan is vigorously promoting includes green technology, the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, smart machinery, and national defense, all industries of importance to Japan. So clearly, conditions are ripe for firms in the two countries to cooperate in developing more advanced technologies and developing the tremendous business opportunities available in the countries targeted by Taiwan's New Southbound Policy.
President Tsai stated that in responding to today's rapidly changing international political and economic situation, Taiwan and Japan are allies on the front lines of the fight to defend democratic values, freedom, and human rights. In the face of pressure from China, she said, Taiwan will neither act rashly to escalate confrontation, nor will we give in. To play a stabilizing role in times of change is no easy task, but this, she said, is the responsibility of a national leader.
The president further pointed out that to ensure regional stability, countries need to work together. She therefore hopes that Japan, which like Taiwan is committed to values like freedom and democracy and very aware of the significance of peace, will continue to exert its influence in the Indo-Pacific region, and work with Taiwan to uphold our shared values.
The president also expressed hope that the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association will continue to play an important role in spurring key exchanges and discussions.
In closing, President Tsai again welcomed Chairman Eto, Mrs. Eto, and the other members of the Friendship Association to Taiwan. She also wished them a smooth and successful visit, and expressed her hope for increasingly stable and close ties between Taiwan and Japan.
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Mikio Numata was among those in the visiting delegation.
