Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by Seishiro Eto, Member of Japanese House of the Representatives and Chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association, on the afternoon of October 10. She stated that the depth of bilateral exchanges and cooperation and our shared values like democracy and freedom ensure that Taiwan and Japan can certainly work together to play even more important roles on the international stage and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

A translation of the president's remarks follows:

Let me welcome our good friend Chairman Eto to Taiwan once again as the head of a delegation to attend the Republic of China's 2019 National Day celebrations.

Over the past two years under Chairman Eto's leadership, the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association has completed a name change, become more active, and is playing an even more important role in Taiwan-Japan exchanges. So once again, I would like to thank Chairman Eto.

Taiwan-Japan relations are making progress in all areas. With transportation becoming more convenient all the time, people in both countries are traveling back and forth on business and for pleasure more frequently each year. Taiwanese people are quite fond of Japanese food and culture, and Taiwan's bubble tea has recently become extremely popular in Japan.

I am quite confident that friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan will continue, thanks to the efforts of many different friends and organizations, including the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association. The depth of our exchanges and cooperation, and our shared values like democracy and freedom, ensure that Taiwan and Japan can certainly work together to play even more important roles on the international stage and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

I hope that Chairman Eto and our other distinguished guests will continue to exert your influence to support Taiwan's participation in international organizations, and support Taiwan's admission to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). That will enable Taiwan and Japan to work together on the international stage and contribute even more to the global community.

Once again, I would like to welcome you all to Taiwan, and wish you a successful visit. Also, I do hope you will have a chance to fully enjoy Taiwan's scenic beauty and delicious food.