TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with former Japanese Foreign Minister Kono Taro on Friday, urging support for Taiwan’s membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Lai said Taiwan can create a win-win relationship with Japan through collaboration in materials, equipment, and precision manufacturing, per CNA. He also said he hopes to advance an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan.

The president highlighted a digital trade agreement signed earlier this month and said both sides will expand AI exchanges to boost competitiveness. He urged Kono and his delegation to support Taiwan’s CPTPP accession.

Lai thanked him for his support and praised Japan’s statements that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are vital for global security.

Kono praised Taiwan’s pavilion at the Osaka Kansai Expo and encouraged Taiwanese participation in the 2027 Yokohama Horticultural Expo. He highlighted tourism and welcomed the lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food from Fukushima and other prefectures.

He said Taiwan-Japan cooperation in disaster prevention and emerging technologies will continue to deepen, strengthening bilateral ties.