TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday pledged to strengthen defense and deepen cooperation with Japan and other like-minded partners to maintain regional peace and prosperity.

During a meeting with Eto Seishiro, chair of the Japan–Taiwan Friendship Association, Lai said the two countries have already established close industrial cooperation in key areas like semiconductors and AI, according to the Presidential Office. He expressed confidence that both countries will expand mutually beneficial cooperation and contribute more to regional economic development.

Lai said that in recent years, authoritarian expansion has drawn more international attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He thanked the Japanese government for repeatedly emphasizing the importance of peace in international forums, including the summit between Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and US President Donald Trump last week.

Eto recalled that Lai described Taiwan as a key pillar of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific in his National Day speech. Takaichi and Trump emphasized that Taiwan Strait peace and stability are crucial to regional security and global prosperity in their meeting, he said.

Eto pointed out that Taiwan’s progress in freedom, human rights, and the rule of law has gained strong recognition from the international community, and these core values are becoming increasingly important in the Indo-Pacific. He stressed that he will fully support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the World Health Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.