TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The foreign minister of Taiwan hosted Kobayashi Takayuki, a former Japanese Minister of Economic Security, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei on Thursday. 

Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) discussed bilateral relations and regional security with Kobayashi at a luncheon on Thursday, according to a MOFA press release. After meeting with President Lai Ching-te and other Taiwanese leaders on his three-day trip, Kobayashi returned to Japan on Friday. 

Kobayashi previously served as Japan’s Minister of Economic Security from October 2021 to August 2022. He is considered a rising star in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.  

During their meeting, Lin discussed his plans for “comprehensive diplomacy,” calls for strengthening relations with like-minded countries throughout the region to safeguard mutual security. The foreign minister expressed his gratitude to Japan for its efforts to improve relations with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies like Palau, Paraguay, and Guatemala. 

Lin and Kobayashi also discussed the need to secure the supply chain for critical technologies in the region. In light of China’s rapidly growing tech industry, Taiwan and Japan should work to develop a resilient and competitive supply chain for democratic nations to maintain peace and stability, per the press release.

Kobayashi said that Taiwan and Japan are important regional partners. He expressed his gratitude to Taiwan for the hospitality shown to him and said he was glad to enhance his understanding of Taiwan and of the regional situation during this visit.