Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the afternoon of September 16, President Lai Ching-te met with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Sumi Shuzo. In remarks, President Lai expressed hope that Taiwan-Japan relations will flourish even more under the leadership of Chairman Sumi, with his extensive experience and foresight. The president also expressed hoped that Taiwan and Japan will continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation and contribute even more to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:

I want to congratulate Chairman Sumi on assuming his position at the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association this June. I also welcome him on his first visit to Taiwan since taking office and wish him a fruitful and successful trip.

I commend Chairman Sumi for taking to heart one of the teachings of Laozi (老子) from the Tao Te Ching (道德經), that “the highest good is like water.” I believe he will bring this spirit to his leadership of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association and help deepen the friendship between our two countries in many areas. If leaders around the world could also embrace this principle in managing relations with neighboring countries, I am confident that world peace would naturally follow.

The peoples of Taiwan and Japan act with goodwill and support each other like family. The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association have long played key roles in bilateral exchanges, overcoming various difficulties and limitations together. The friendship between Taiwan and Japan thus stands as a model of bilateral relations for the world.

Chairman Sumi has been active in Japan’s business community for many years, holding numerous important positions and possessing extensive experience and foresight. Taiwan-Japan relations will surely flourish even more under his outstanding leadership. I hope we can continue deepening exchanges and cooperation, ushering in a new era. Whether in economic security, technological innovation, culture and tourism, youth exchanges, or advancing an economic partnership agreement between Taiwan and Japan, I hope to work closely with Chairman Sumi to contribute even more to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Once again, I want to thank the Japanese government for consistently reiterating the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to the international community and opposing any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by use of force. I am also thankful for Japan’s longstanding support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and World Health Organization. These positions and actions not only demonstrate Japan’s firm commitment to regional peace, but are also deeply inspiring to Taiwan. Lastly, I hope the friendship between our two countries will continue to grow stronger and closer, reaching even greater heights.

Chairman Sumi then delivered remarks, mentioning that before he began his term as chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, he had already engaged in many business exchanges with Taiwan. He said he hopes to further promote development between Japan and Taiwan across a wide range of sectors.

Chairman Sumi stated that Taiwan and Japan both face highly unstable international circumstances, including countries attempting to unilaterally change the status quo by use of force or intimidation, and significant impacts on the development of international trade. Pointing out that the fundamental and universal values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law have also been impacted, the chairman said that global affairs are not simply black and white and that we should work towards building a more diverse and inclusive international society. He said that Japan and Taiwan, grounded in these shared universal values, have collaborated closely to this day, and that both emphasize a spirit of harmony and coordination. He expressed hope that this conviction can extend to other regions of the world.

Chairman Sumi also pointed out that Taiwan and Japan deal with many similar difficulties and issues, such as complex international trade interactions, declining birthrates, aging populations, labor shortages, pension and welfare systems, social development, and the establishment of comprehensive healthcare systems. Both countries, he added, also frequently face natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes, highlighting the need for more robust disaster prevention systems, effective responses to global warming, and a stable energy supply. Chairman Sumi expressed hope of strengthening cooperation on these issues, sharing expertise, and working together to find solutions.

Referencing the association’s latest survey on Taiwanese public perception of Japan, Chairman Sumi said that 76 percent of Taiwanese named Japan as their favorite country. He added that the number of Taiwanese tourist visits to Japan has exceeded six million, reflecting our deep and solidly-based friendship. Chairman Sumi expressed his belief that bilateral relations will continue to deepen and pledged during his chairmanship to fully support further development of Taiwan-Japan relations.

The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.