TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) called for closer security cooperation between Taiwan and Japan during a luncheon with a Japanese parliament delegation on Wednesday (Aug. 14).

The minister suggested that Taiwan and Japan establish a security dialogue mechanism to facilitate discussions on responding to emergencies in the future, per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both nations feel a strong sense of closeness with each other and face the external threat of authoritarian expansion, he said.  

Lin highlighted the geographical proximity between the two countries and the shared universal values of democracy and freedom.

Lin thanked the Japanese government for stressing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and raising awareness of the security situation in the region. Lin also hoped Japan would begin informal consultations with Taiwan to help facilitate its early accession in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Japanese Representative Ishiba Shigeru, the leader of the visiting delegation, said his exchanges with political leaders during this trip to Taiwan have been highly beneficial. Ishiba wished for a dialogue mechanism to continue bilateral exchanges in the future. 

He also said Taiwan and Japan should join other democracies to strengthen deterrence and safeguard peace and security in East Asia and the Taiwan Strait.

In his meeting with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday (Aug. 13), Ishiba said his delegation included parliamentarians “who have long taken a keen interest in security and diplomacy.” Several members have defense-related roles, he said.

The lawmaker said in Japan there is a saying, “Today’s Ukraine might become tomorrow’s East Asia,” and there is an urgent desire to prevent this.