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On the afternoon of May 6, President Lai Ching-te met with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Sumi Shuzo. In remarks, President Lai thanked Chairman Sumi for taking concrete action to promote the development of Taiwan-Japan relations, and said he hoped to work with him and draw upon his influence to deepen economic, trade and other areas of bilateral cooperation. The president also thanked the government of Japan for repeatedly reaffirming at international venues the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He then expressed hope of jointly defending regional peace with Japan.
A translation of President Lai's remarks follows:
To begin, I would like to welcome Chairman Sumi, on your third visit to Taiwan since assuming your current position in June of last year. You are taking concrete action to promote the development of Taiwan-Japan relations, and you have already achieved fruitful results. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to offer our sincerest thanks.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association have long played important roles in the conduct of bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. Our two sides have together overcome many difficulties and constraints to build bridges of cooperation. In such areas as the economy, trade, culture, tourism, education, and sports, we have signed more than 100 MOUs on cooperation. I would especially mention that just last December Chairman Sumi led a delegation to attend the Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference, where they signed the Taiwan-Japan Digital Trade Agreement and an MOU on regional customs cooperation. These agreements lay a more solid foundation for our bilateral economic and trade exchanges.
Chairman Sumi has been a notable figure in Japan's business community for many years, has held many important positions, and is deeply experienced and farsighted. I look forward to working with him and drawing upon his influence to deepen economic, trade and other areas of bilateral cooperation, creating win-win outcomes.
I also want to thank the government of Japan once again for repeatedly reaffirming at international venues the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In particular, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and United States President Donald Trump held a meeting in March, following which a fact sheet was issued reiterating their commitment to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of regional security and global prosperity. For the people of Taiwan, this was very encouraging.
Last month, when my planned visit to our African ally Eswatini was temporarily postponed due to pressure from China, the Japanese government publicly stated that ensuring aviation safety was a major issue in the common interest of the international community. Furthermore, members of the Japanese Diet from both the ruling and opposition parties immediately and publicly condemned China for engaging in unreasonable suppression and intimidation. The Japanese government and Diet's resolute support and actions highlighted Japan's firm commitment to regional peace and stability. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to offer our sincerest thanks.
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae gave a speech in Vietnam last week and announced Japan's updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative, which focuses on the three priorities of strengthening supply chain resilience, promoting AI R&D, and expanding cooperation in the field of security. Each of which serves as a powerful driving force for future peace, stability, prosperity, and development in the Indo-Pacific region. It is truly impressive.
During this visit to Taiwan, Chairman Sumi will travel to Tainan to attend a memorial activity for the Japanese hydraulic engineer Hatta Yoichi. I am very much looking forward to commemorating Mr. Hatta and his contributions together with Chairman Sumi.
Chairman Sumi then delivered remarks, first congratulating President Lai for successfully completing his visit to Eswatini and safely returning home. He also pointed out that it has been almost one year since he assumed his post in June of last year, and this marks his third visit to Taiwan during that time span, following an initial visit last September and another in December to attend the Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference. Chairman Sumi expressed deep gratitude for the warm hospitality he has received from President Lai and people from all sectors of society on each of his visits to Taiwan.
Chairman Sumi noted that since his previous visit to Taiwan last December, relations between Taiwan and Japan have continued to grow stronger. During this period, he pointed out, the two sides held important meetings of the Taiwan-Japan Economic Partnership Committee and the Taiwan-Japan Fishery Committee, reaching agreements in both cases. He said that parliamentary exchanges and reciprocal visits have also been carried out with increasing frequency. In addition, he said, Prime Minister Takaichi met in February with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Chairman and CEO C.C. Wei (魏哲家) and announced that Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's fab in Kumamoto, Japan, will begin manufacturing semiconductors using a 3-nm process in 2028. Chairman Sumi said that this means Taiwan-Japan relations have grown closer, and it shows that the two sides will engage in further cooperation and development in the field of semiconductors.
Chairman Sumi stated that international conditions are becoming more and more complex and are full of uncertainty, including regional developments in Ukraine and Iran. He emphasized that having partners with shared values is more important than ever, and Taiwan and Japan must continue to strengthen cooperative ties. He pointed out that Taiwan and Japan have had a stable and robust foundation of trust for a long time. He said that in the economic sphere, the two sides already cooperate in important sectors such as semiconductors, AI, and ICT, which will be core elements for future social development. In addition, a Japan-Taiwan disaster prevention cooperation forum was held this past January in Kaohsiung, where the two sides had in-depth discussions on cooperation in disaster prevention issues. The chairman expressed confidence that Taiwan and Japan will have opportunities in the future for expanded cooperation and development in the area of disaster prevention.
Chairman Sumi mentioned that during this visit to Taiwan he will travel to the Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan to attend a ceremony to commemorate the 84th anniversary of the passing of Japanese hydraulic engineer Hatta Yoichi. For many years, he added, Taiwan has highly valued the Wushantou Reservoir, which was built during the era of Japanese rule, and has held commemorative activities each year. Noting that it is very touching, he expressed his sincere gratitude. He also expressed hope that more Japanese people could come to Taiwan to see its beauty, strengthening exchanges and reciprocal visits between the two sides. He stated that he looks forward to further advancing Taiwan-Japan cooperation across all fields and deepening their partnership in the years ahead.
The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
