TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Monday (May 20) thanked Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa for congratulating President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on his inauguration.

At a press conference, Hayashi congratulated Lai on his inauguration and said “Taiwan is a very important partner of Japan and also very important friend." The foreign ministry responded by expressing “sincere welcome and gratitude to the Japanese government for its prompt congratulations.”

Hayashi said that Taiwan and Japan have close economic and trade relations, frequent personnel exchanges, and are important partners. He said he looks forward to deepening Taiwan-Japan relations under the leadership of President Lai and paid tribute to former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).

Hayashi also said that Japan looks forward to peacefully resolving cross-strait issues through dialogue and reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are vital to the stability of the international community. He said Japan will work closely with the U.S. and other allies to convey this message to China directly.

The Japanese government sent congratulatory messages at the end of Taiwan's elections on Jan. 13 and upon the inauguration of Lai and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) on Monday, fully demonstrating the importance Japan attaches to their bilateral relations and the “profound friendship between Taiwan and Japan," said MOFA.

The ministry pledged that Taiwan would continue to promote the development of Taiwan-Japan relations in the future, strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries, and jointly protect peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.