President Lai Ching-te received a Taiwanese delegation from the "Japanese Reform Association-Republic of China (Taiwan) Friendship Seminar" this afternoon (8th). He thanked the Association for its long-term concrete actions to support Taiwan and its emphasis on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. He also stated that Taiwan and Japan have supported each other for many years and shared universal values. They look forward to the two sides continuing to deepen strategic industry and regional economic and trade cooperation in the future, and jointly enhance the resilience of the global democratic supply chain.

In his speech, the President said that the "Japanese Restoration Society" has always been Taiwan's important good friend in Japan. I welcome President Nobuyuki Baba, co-representative Fumitake Fujita, and old and new friends of the Reform Society to visit us. I also thank all distinguished guests for their concrete actions to show their support for Taiwan.

The president said that after the Hualien earthquake in 2024, the chairman of the racecourse personally led the "Japan Restoration Society" to donate 30 million yen to assist in post-disaster reconstruction, allowing the people of Taiwan to feel sincere and warm support. This friendship has always been in the hearts of the Taiwanese people. After the strong earthquake in Kumamoto this year, in addition to the modest efforts he, Vice President Hsiao Meiqin, and Executive Yuan President Zhuo Rongtai made in their own names, the government also called on all walks of life in Taiwan to lend a helping hand, hoping that the reconstruction work would go smoothly. In the face of typhoons and earthquakes, Taiwan and Japan helped each other, which also demonstrated the deep friendship between the two countries and shows that a friend in need is a friend indeed.

The President pointed out that Taiwan and Japan have supported each other over the years. In addition to responding to natural disasters and earthquakes, they have also faced various global challenges together. The "Japan Restoration Society" not only calls on Japan to strengthen its defense capabilities and jointly maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. In the "Eight Strategies for Restoration" in the party's platform, it also lists Taiwan as a partner that shares universal values ​​and emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We are very moved and grateful. I believe that in the future under the coalition government formed by the Liberal Democratic Party and the "Japan Restoration Council", Japan and Taiwan will continue to make greater contributions to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.

The president said that Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae recently announced that 17 industries including AI, semiconductors, quantum and aerospace will be listed as important strategic investment areas. In July this year, the Japanese government further proposed the "Strategic Industrial Cluster Plan" in the hope of attracting large-scale investment. In addition to TSMC, Taiwan also has many high-tech industries that will respond to Prime Minister Gao’s plan.

The president further stated that he hopes that in the future, with the support of the "Japan Restoration Society", Taiwan and Japan can "join forces" to continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation, jointly build a non-red supply chain, enhance the resilience of the global democratic supply chain, and also strengthen regional economic and trade cooperation. Finally, the President once again thanked the visiting guests for taking the time to visit Taiwan at a critical moment, which is of great significance to Taiwan-Japan relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and wished the visit a complete success.

When President Nobuyuki Baba delivered his speech, he first thanked the President for taking the time to meet with him. He also said that after the earthquake in Kumamoto at the end of July this year, Japan once again felt the warm support from all walks of life in Taiwan, including donations from the president himself for disaster relief. Taiwan and Japan have often encountered severe natural disasters. They have encouraged and supported each other for a long time, which is a true friend in need.

Chairman Nobuyuki Baba said that Taiwan and Japan share basic values ​​such as the rule of law, freedom and democracy, and have close economic and trade relations and personnel exchanges. Taiwan is Japan's extremely important partner and precious friend. Last year, approximately 6.76 million Taiwanese tourists visited Japan, hitting a record high for two consecutive years. In addition, the warm exchanges between Taiwanese and Japanese parliamentarians and the long-term accumulated exchanges between the people are an important foundation for supporting today's Taiwan-Japan relations. We look forward to further deepening cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Japan based on the existing foundation in the future.

On the economic front, Chairman Nobuyuki Baba pointed out that semiconductor cooperation, represented by TSMC, is an important symbol of Taiwan-Japan industrial cooperation and shows the steady progress of bilateral cooperation. Taiwan's investment in Japan will exceed US$5 billion in 2024, a record high, and the results of industrial cooperation continue to accumulate. We look forward to further expanding cooperation areas in the future and creating a win-win situation in terms of strengthening the resilience of the supply chain and cultivating talents.

Chairman Nobuyuki Baba mentioned that US President Trump visited China in May this year and held talks with President Xi Jinping. President Xi Jinping will also visit the United States this month. Regarding the Taiwan issue, China continues to take a tough stance, while the United States emphasizes that its policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. President Lai has also expressed great concern about this. He believes that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are extremely important to the international community; Japan has always expected Taiwan-related issues to be resolved peacefully through dialogue, and its position will not change in the future.

President Nobuyuki Baba said that for Japanese people visiting Taiwan, there is always a feeling of returning to a familiar and nostalgic place. Although this trip to Taiwan is short, I still look forward to communicating and learning from all walks of life in Taiwan, and jointly promoting the continued development of Taiwan-Japan relations.

The visiting guests also included Japanese Senators Kaho Takagi, Taku Shibata, Naeko Ishii, Daisuke Katayama, Kenta Aoshima, Tai Okazaki, Megumi Ishii, Representatives Koichiro Ichimura and Tetsu Toru, etc., led by Foreign Minister Lin Jialong, "Japan Taiwan Accompanied by Masashi Mizobuchi, deputy representative of the Taipei Office of the Taiwan Exchange Association, and Hong Yingjie, secretary-general of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, they came to the Presidential Office to meet the president. Pan Meng-an, secretary-general of the presidential office, and Joseph Wu, secretary-general of the National Security Council, were also present.