Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the afternoon of September 8, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from a Japanese Diet members' association focused on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In remarks, President Lai stated that in the face of China's hybrid threats through military activities, gray-zone aggression, and transnational repression, democratic nations around the world, including Taiwan and Japan, can only safeguard democracy, peace, and prosperity by uniting, cooperating, and enhancing their defense capabilities to jointly demonstrate the strength of deterrence. The president expressed hope that in the future, Taiwan and Japan will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as national strategy, economic and trade security, high-tech industries, and societal resilience, thereby promoting closer and steadier Taiwan-Japan relations.

A translation of President Lai's remarks follows:

First, I would like to welcome our distinguished guests to Taiwan. The Diet members' association focused on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was just established in mid-June this year, and in the less than three months since, it has already shown strong concern and support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait through concrete action with this visit, which is quite admirable. I am confident that the founding of this association will not only increase concern for the Taiwan Strait situation in the Diet, but also help in finding the best strategies to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, thereby realizing former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Since the earthquake which struck Kumamoto Prefecture over a month ago, the people of Taiwan have been quite concerned about the recovery situation. For many years, Taiwan and Japan have always helped each other in the face of natural disasters and infectious diseases, demonstrating that a friend in need is a friend indeed. This has steadily enhanced the quality and stability of the Taiwan-Japan relationship over time.

We are now facing continuous hybrid threats from China through military activities, gray-zone aggression, and transnational repression. Such threats escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea while undermining regional peace and stability. Democratic nations around the world, including Taiwan and Japan, can only safeguard the democracy, peace, and prosperity upon which our survival depends by uniting, cooperating, and enhancing our defense capabilities to jointly demonstrate the strength of deterrence.

This year, Taiwan's defense budget accounts for 3 percent of GDP, and next year it will account for more than 3 percent. That figure will continue to rise, and we expect to reach the goal of 5 percent of GDP by 2030. The government will also vigorously promote self-sufficiency in national defense, strengthen asymmetric capabilities such as AI and unmanned vehicles, and actively build up a resilient civil defense system to achieve the goal of safeguarding the nation.

I very much look forward to Taiwan and Japan strengthening cooperation in areas such as national strategy, economic and trade security, high-tech industries, and societal resilience, especially in semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, drones, and robotics. In closing, I would like to thank our guests once again for their efforts regarding Taiwan-Japan relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. I wish you all a successful and rewarding visit.

Association Chairman Kitamura Haruo then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for finding time in his busy schedule to meet with the delegation. He then stated that the main purpose of this trip is to translate the friendship between Taiwan and Japan into concrete action, and continue to promote the development of bilateral relations. Chairman Kitamura went on to say that close friends are what make life wonderful, and that this holds true for both countries and people. Taiwan is a close friend of Japan, he said, expressing hope that the peoples of Japan and Taiwan can recognize and cherish anew their deep mutual friendship.

Chairman Kitamura stated that when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, Taiwan immediately dispatched a disaster relief team, and the government and private sector raised 25 billion yen in disaster relief donations. No other country in the world could do that, he said, and if our close friend Taiwan faces adversity, Japan will do its utmost to join Taiwan in facing it together.

Even more important, Chairman Kitamura said, is that Japan and the Japanese people continue to demonstrate to the world their full support and determination to defend their friends in times of crisis. He expressed his belief that showing such determination will help resolve any crisis that may arise. He then stated that he will take concrete action, including promoting the formulation of Japanese versions of the Taiwan Travel Act and the Taiwan Relations Act, to facilitate exchanges between senior officials of both governments and advance various kinds of national defense cooperation.

Chairman Kitamura said that although the power of each Diet member may be limited, he will remain steadfastly determined to bring together even more like-minded individuals, actively appeal to the Japanese government, do his utmost to realize the hopes of former Prime Minister Abe, build solid relations with Taiwan, and promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He also expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will move forward hand in hand, jointly creating a bright future for both countries.

The delegation also included Japanese House of Councillors Members Yamada Yoshihiko, Seki Hei, and Umemura Mizuho, as well as Japanese House of Representatives Members Nishida Kaoru, Yokota Mitsuhiro, and Miki Kee. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Deputy Representative Mizobuchi Masashi.