TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japan Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on Saturday reaffirmed her country’s close ties with Taiwan with Lin Hsin-i (林信義), Taiwan’s APEC representative, on the last day of the APEC summit in South Korea.
During a brief exchange, Takaichi reiterated Japan’s commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and expressed condolences over Taiwan’s recent natural disasters, CNA reported. She said Japan looks forward to deepening practical cooperation with Taiwan in various fields and supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
Lin congratulated Takaichi on becoming prime minister and wished her and the Japanese government success in advancing national policies. He urged more cooperation in areas such as AI, digital trade, economy, and disaster prevention. He was optimistic that the two countries would work together to achieve prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Lin also thanked Takaichi and the Japanese government for repeatedly emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait at major international forums, as well as for Japan’s longstanding friendship and support for Taiwan.
On Friday, Takaichi emphasized the importance of regional stability and security during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. She added that "maintaining good cross-strait relations is crucial.”
In response to President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) congratulatory X message last month, Takaichi hailed ties with Taiwan, calling the country “an extremely important partner and cherished friend” that shares fundamental values, close economic links, and active people-to-people exchanges.
