TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) stressed the need for Taiwan and Japan to continue cooperation to counter authoritarianism in a meeting with Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chair Furuya Keiji on Monday.
As authoritarian states grow closer, democratic nations must stand even more united, Lai said. Taiwan will strengthen its economy and self-defense, and collaborate with Japan and other like-minded countries to promote democracy and prosperity in the region and beyond, he added, per the Presidential Office.
He called Furuya and his delegation “true friends of Taiwan” and hoped for enhanced bilateral relations.
The president pointed out that in recent years, the consultative council has strengthened ties by passing resolutions supporting Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Furuya said that Taiwan-Japan cooperation extends beyond diplomacy and security. Economic collaboration is equally important, particularly in emerging technologies, he said.
He cited TSMC’s investment in Kumamoto, Japan, as a prime example of the flourishing economic partnership and underscored the significance of cybersecurity and cooperation in supply chain resilience.
In addition to strengthening local-level exchanges, Furuya hoped that more Japanese middle and high school students would choose Taiwan for school trips. He believed that students who visit Taiwan would become lifelong fans of the country.
The Japanese lawmaker arrived in Taiwan to attend the eighth Yushan Forum.
