President Lai Ching-te received a joint delegation from the Tokyo-based Japan Forum for Strategic Studies and Taipei-based Formosa Republican Association Aug. 7 in Taipei City.
According to the Presidential Office, the group included Itsunori Onodera, member of the Japanese House of Representatives, and four other members of the Diet, as well as FRA Honorary Chair Tommy Lin.
On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, Lai expressed condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture late last month. Taiwan and Japan always care for, support and help each other in time of disaster, he added, calling it a demonstration of the deep bond between the two countries.
The president thanked the JFSS and FRA for jointly organizing inaugural political-economic policy simulation exercises exploring trilateral cooperation among Taiwan, Japan and the U.S. He called the simulations and associated discussion critical in the context of global authoritarian expansionism.
The government is firmly committed to self-defense, Lai added, citing Taiwan’s 2026 defense budget that exceeded 3 percent of its gross domestic product for the first time, and the annual Han Kuang military exercise underway until Aug. 14 throughout Taiwan as examples.
Lai concluded by saying he hoped to see further expansion of cooperation with Japan in trade and economic security, high-tech industries and social resilience enhancement to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In response, Onodera said many countries are trying to use force to change the status quo, as demonstrated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, conflicts in the Middle East and China’s frequent military activities. He called for Japan, Taiwan and the U.S. to work closely together and prepare for all contingencies to ensure peace in East Asia, adding that the policy simulation is a tool to bolster deterrence, thereby safeguarding regional peace. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
According to the Presidential Office, the group included Itsunori Onodera, member of the Japanese House of Representatives, and four other members of the Diet, as well as FRA Honorary Chair Tommy Lin.
On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, Lai expressed condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture late last month. Taiwan and Japan always care for, support and help each other in time of disaster, he added, calling it a demonstration of the deep bond between the two countries.
The president thanked the JFSS and FRA for jointly organizing inaugural political-economic policy simulation exercises exploring trilateral cooperation among Taiwan, Japan and the U.S. He called the simulations and associated discussion critical in the context of global authoritarian expansionism.
The government is firmly committed to self-defense, Lai added, citing Taiwan’s 2026 defense budget that exceeded 3 percent of its gross domestic product for the first time, and the annual Han Kuang military exercise underway until Aug. 14 throughout Taiwan as examples.
Lai concluded by saying he hoped to see further expansion of cooperation with Japan in trade and economic security, high-tech industries and social resilience enhancement to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In response, Onodera said many countries are trying to use force to change the status quo, as demonstrated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, conflicts in the Middle East and China’s frequent military activities. He called for Japan, Taiwan and the U.S. to work closely together and prepare for all contingencies to ensure peace in East Asia, adding that the policy simulation is a tool to bolster deterrence, thereby safeguarding regional peace. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News