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On the afternoon of March 4, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former Japanese House of Councillors President Santo Akiko. In remarks, President Lai thanked her for her long-term support for the development of Taiwan-Japan relations and parliamentary exchanges. He also noted that Taiwan is a hub for the global AI and semiconductor industries, while Japan has strengths in materials, equipment, and precision manufacturing. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will deepen their cooperative ties and create win-win outcomes.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to first welcome our guests and note that this marks a return visit to Taiwan for former House of Councillors President Santo, as she previously led a Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council delegation here to take part in our 2024 National Day celebrations. We are sincerely grateful for her long-term support for the development of Taiwan-Japan relations, including the passage of numerous Taiwan-friendly resolutions.
Taiwan and Japan are important partners that share the universal values of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law, and also have a long and deep-rooted friendship. When either is struck by a natural disaster, one always extends a helping hand to support the other.
The current state of global affairs remains complex. Taiwan and Japan in recent years have both had to face serious challenges to regional security, such as the expansion of authoritarian powers, gray-zone aggression, and cognitive warfare. I am thankful to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, who since taking office last year has emphasized at various international venues her concern for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Prime Minister Takaichi has now formed her second cabinet, which I am confident will make an even greater contribution to peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
During last year’s APEC meetings, Prime Minister Takaichi held bilateral talks with our Leader’s Representative Lin Hsin-yi (林信義), during which our two sides discussed and reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation and exchanges in key technological fields. Taiwan will actively follow through on this matter. In particular, Taiwan is a hub for the global AI and semiconductor industries, while Japan has strengths in materials, equipment, and precision manufacturing. I am confident that by deepening our cooperative ties, Taiwan and Japan will create win-win outcomes.
Finally, I want to once more thank former House of Councillors President Santo for her long-term support for bilateral parliamentary exchanges. It is my heartfelt hope that Taiwan and Japan, by building on everything we have already achieved, can continuously deepen our friendship. This year marks the Year of the Horse in Taiwan’s lunar calendar, so I would like to wish former House of Councillors President Santo good fortune, success, and happiness this Year of the Horse.
Former House of Councillors President Santo then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for taking the time to meet with her delegation. Since President Lai took office, she said, he has worked tirelessly to shoulder arduous responsibilities and undertake difficult tasks, and his courage in taking a firm stance has been admirable.
Former House of Councillors President Santo noted that major political changes in recent years in both Japan and internationally have caused Japanese society to pay closer attention to the future direction of national development, with a hope to work hand in hand with friends and allies that also steadfastly uphold the values of freedom and democracy. She noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Takaichi, Japan’s first woman to serve in that position, the Japanese government is working hard to promote constitutional reform, amend information security legislation, and implement other important policies. She said that the Japanese government is also actively responding to the economic impacts and diplomatic challenges that have been brought on by changing international conditions, and hopes to establish an environment where the nation’s people can live with a greater sense of security and peace of mind.
The former House of Councillors president stated that no matter how global conditions may change, the deep friendship between Taiwan and Japan will remain the same as ever. She indicated that both face challenges from natural disasters, and every time Japan is struck especially hard, the people of Taiwan always rush to offer heartfelt and generous aid. The people of Japan are deeply grateful, she said, and this bond of friendship is being passed on from generation to generation.
Former House of Councillors President Santo pointed out that the roughly 40 members of her delegation are women who have come to share traditional Japanese culture, and at the same time gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s history and culture. She emphasized that even though she is no longer a member of the Japanese Diet, as someone who loves Taiwan, she will keep promoting Taiwan-Japan exchanges in hopes that bilateral ties will continue to grow deeper.
The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
