TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa congratulated President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) on their inauguration on Monday (May 20).

“Taiwan is a very important partner of Japan and also very important friend,” Hayashi said at a press conference Monday morning, pointing out that the two countries had shared values and enjoy “close economic ties and personnel exchanges.”

He said bilateral ties would remain non-governmental but Japan sought to deepen them. He also highlighted the strong mutual support whenever one country faced difficulties.

Hayashi also expressed “respect” for former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).

In an afternoon press conference the same day, Hayashi reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to global security. Japan hopes cross-strait differences can be “resolved in a peaceful manner through dialogue,” he said, adding that Tokyo’s position has been consistent.

The chief cabinet secretary said Japan has stressed the importance of peace to China and “will closely coordinate with the United States and other like-minded nations in giving out this shared message.” He added that the government will monitor cross-strait relations and “make diplomatic efforts in that regard.”

Japan sent a 35-member parliamentary delegation to attend Taiwan’s presidential inauguration ceremony. The group was led by Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji.