TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Taiwan needs Japan's assistance not only for disaster response but also to avoid war.
On the eve of his first anniversary in office, Lai sat down for his first foreign television interview with Japan’s Nippon News Network. Broadcast on Monday, the interview was led by Japanese news anchor and singer Sakurai Sho, per CNA.
Sakurai noted it was the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Drawing lessons from the war, Lai spoke of the need to safeguard peace and not be complacent toward authoritarian powers. He also noted that the war ended “because different groups joined together in solidarity.”
Lai highlighted the strength of deterrence. He said Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength and prevent war by preparing for war.
He emphasized China’s threat to the world, saying that “annexing Taiwan is just the first step." Lai said 's goal is to “change the rules-based international order."
“I hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war,” the president said.
He added, “When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided."
When asked whether he believes the US would help defend Taiwan, Lai did not reply directly. He said that bilateral relations continue to strengthen regardless of whether under the Biden or the Trump administration.
Sakurai also asked Lai why Taiwan is focusing on developing drones and unmanned vehicles. Lai provided two reasons: national security and industrial development. He noted that Ukraine had successfully utilized unmanned vehicles in its defense against Russia.
Lai said he anticipates cooperation with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. He said that cooperation between Taiwan and Japan would benefit regional peace and industrial development in both nations.
Japanese reporters this month visited the Port of Kaohsiung to see Taiwan’s first domestically produced military-use unmanned surface vehicle. Lai has attached importance to a "non-red supply chain” in case a conflict occurs and Taiwan is unable to buy the equipment it needs.
Lastly, Lai mentioned Japan and Taiwan’s friendship and mutual assistance during natural disasters. “Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly,” Lai said.
Sakurai noted after the program Lai’s friendliness when discussing relations with Japan, but his sense of crisis when transitioning to the topic of China. He said, “I felt that President Lai wanted to convey a message to Japan.”
