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President Tsai Ing-wen met with National Federation of Japan-Taiwan Friendship Associations Chairman Takao Fujii and his wife on the morning of December 5. The president expressed hope for Chairman Fujii's continued support for Taiwan as well as Japan's recommendation for Taiwan's inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the joint promotion of economic cooperation by Taiwan's and Japan's enterprises in third countries.
In remarks, President Tsai stated that Chairman Fujii is an old friend of Taiwan and has visited 27 times. During his time as chief secretary of the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council, Chairman Fujii brought about concrete progress in Japan-Taiwan relations, and the president specially expressed her gratitude and welcomed him once again to Taiwan.
President Tsai noted that Chairman Fujii took over as chairman of the National Federation of Japan-Taiwan Friendship Associations this past July, and she believes that substantive cooperation between Taiwan and Japan will only continue to develop and strengthen under Chairman Fujii's understanding and friendship with Taiwan.
The president pointed out that trade between Taiwan and Japan totaled USD$62.8 billion last year, so Taiwan's inclusion in the CPTPP would be important to Japan's strategic interests.
The president also stated that we took note of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's remarks regarding the CPTPP during his visit to China, in which he stated that any country or region that meets the high standards of the CPTPP is qualified to apply to join the agreement. Chairman Fujii possesses considerable influence in the Japanese political sphere, and President Tsai looked forward to his continued support for Taiwan as well as Japan's recommendation for Taiwan's inclusion in the CPTPP.
In closing, President Tsai noted Chairman Fujii's familiarity with Vietnam affairs, and the administration looks forward to his assistance in promoting economic cooperation for Taiwan's and Japan's enterprises in third countries.
