TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday (Oct. 1) congratulated new Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, according to a Presidential Office press release.
Lai expressed confidence that ties between Taiwan and Japan “will continue growing deeper and that we will jointly contribute to regional peace, prosperity, and stability.”
In August, Ishiba met with Lai in Taiwan as part of a six-member delegation of parliamentarians focused on regional security issues. The two discussed cross-strait matters and the need to strengthen bilateral ties, and Ishiba was reportedly eager to hear Lai’s perspectives.
Lai emphasized, “Taiwan will work with Japan and other democratic partners to support the ‘democratic umbrella,’ safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and maintain regional peace and stability.”
In addition, Lai thanked former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for his government’s support of Taiwan and attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. After three years, Kishida chose not to run for re-election as the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faced major political scandals.
Ishiba, the new leader of the ruling LDP, also served as Japan's defense minister from September 2007 to August 2008.