TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki lauded close bilateral ties on Wednesday.

“Currently, Japan–Taiwan relations can be said to be at their best in history,” Katayama said at a DPP Youth members meeting, per CNA. A survey conducted by the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in March showed that 76% of Taiwanese named Japan as their favorite foreign country, and 81% said they felt close to Japan. 

Another Taiwanese survey showed that 74.5% of Japanese feel a sense of closeness toward Taiwan, according to Katayama.

Katayama emphasized that parliamentary exchanges play a crucial role in fostering mutual trust. Amid increasing tensions between Japan and China, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) posted photos on social media of himself enjoying Japanese scallops and yellowtail, and many DPP legislators expressed support for Japan. 

Taiwan has also lifted restrictions on imports of Japanese food related to the Fukushima nuclear accident, the representative said. These actions have touched many Japanese and strengthened the friendship between the two countries.

Katayama thanked Lai and the DPP for their strong support of Japan. Through the DPP Youth Bureau, he hoped exchanges between Japan and Taiwan, particularly among the younger generation, would become more frequent, and that mutual trust would be further solidified.