President Lai meets Abe Akie, wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan
On the afternoon of May 20, President Lai Ching-te met with Abe Akie, the wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan. During their meeting, President Lai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abe and his mother Abe Yoko for their contributions to enhancing the Taiwan-Japan relationship, as well as to Abe Akie for carrying on their connection with Taiwan and her commitment to bilateral cultural exchange. The president said he looks forward to Taiwan and Japan continuing to work together to uphold peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. He also expressed hope that the friendship between Taiwan and Japan and the virtuous cycle between our countries can become models for the global community.
In his remarks, President Lai recalled that when he met Mrs. Abe Akie in Taiwan last July, he said he hopes that she can visit Taiwan often and can see Taiwan as her second home. He then welcomed Mrs. Abe to Taiwan to attend his and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao’s inauguration and participate in Taiwan’s momentous democratic event.
President Lai expressed his respect for both former Prime Minister Abe and his mother Abe Yoko. The president also expressed his condolences on their passing , as well as his gratitude for their work to strengthen the Taiwan-Japan relationship. He also thanked Mrs. Abe Akie not only for visiting Taiwan on her husband’s behalf and carrying on their connection with Taiwan, but also for her commitment to our bilateral cultural exchange and for taking over the role of honorary president of the Japan-Taiwan Homebound Sakura Cultural Exchange Foundation after the passing of Abe Yoko .
President Lai said that Mrs. Abe’s high regard and support for Taiwan mean a lot to the Taiwanese people, adding that the bilateral friendship facilitated by Prime Minister Abe continues to grow. On the earthquake that struck Taiwan last month, President Lai stated that the Japanese government, parliament, local autonomous entities , and members of civil society all expressed timely concern for Taiwan and raised funds for those affected by the disaster. For this, he expressed thanks to everyone in Japan on behalf of the people of Taiwan.
Noting that former Prime Minister Abe dedicated his life to upholding the values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights, President Lai stated that the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific pioneered by the late prime minister has become a common strategic goal of democratic countries the world over and will have a far-reaching influence over future international developments.
President Lai said that Taiwan will continue to work with Japan to uphold peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and will strive to have the friendship between Taiwan and Japan and the virtuous cycle between our countries become models for the global community.
Mrs. Abe then delivered remarks, congratulating President Lai on assuming office and thanking him for the invitation to attend his inauguration ceremony. Having had the pleasure of hearing President Lai’s powerful inaugural address that morning, she said that she hopes that President Lai will stay healthy and make further contributions to Taiwan and the world at large.
Mrs. Abe recalled that when former Prime Minister Abe passed away, then-Vice President Lai promptly came to Japan to offer his condolences. She expressed her appreciation for this gesture and said that she is sure former Prime Minister Abe’s spirit took comfort from this sentiment.
Mrs. Abe then thanked Taiwan for erecting a statue of her late husband. She said she looks forward to acting as a bridge between Japan and Taiwan and repaying Taiwan for its kindness.
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Deputy Representative Hattori Takashi was also in attendance at the meeting.