《TAIPEI TIMES》 President meets with visiting senior Japanese official

ROBUST TIES: Taiwan is a very important partner for Japan, as it values freedom and democracy, and plays a vital role in global supply chains, Mitsuo Ohashi said

/ Staff writer, with CNA

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President Tsai Ing-wen （蔡英文） yesterday met with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi, expressing hope that Taiwan and Japan can advance cooperation on national security, as well as economic and trade affairs, the Presidential Office said yesterday.

Relations between Taiwan and Japan have strengthened over the past few years, and bilateral cooperation has become more diverse and multifaceted, Tsai said in a statement released by the Presidential Office.

In October, Taiwan, Japan, the US and Australia jointly hosted an international workshop on maritime law enforcement in Tokyo for the first time, under the auspices of the Global Cooperation and Training Framework （GCTF）, she said.

The GCTF was initiated in 2015 by Taiwan and the US with the aim of “utilizing Taiwan’s strengths and expertise to address global issues of mutual concern” through international workshops, the program’s Web site says.

Over the years, the GCTF has expanded to include other “full partners,” such as Japan and Australia, while also collaborating with other countries on cohosted events.

Tsai said she hoped that Taiwan and Japan would continue to foster new cooperation in areas such as national security, economics, trade and industrial transition.

She added that both sides should work together in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era as the world faces the challenge of authoritarian expansion, and further promote their friendship, the press release said.

Ohashi reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for the security of Japan and other regional countries, adding that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed this position during his meeting with Chinese leaders, the press release said.

Ohashi described the friendship between Taipei and Tokyo as an example for the world.

Taiwan is a very important partner for Japan, because it not only shares universal values such as freedom and democracy, but also plays important roles in global supply chains, Ohashi said.

If all countries shared relationships similar to the one between Taiwan and Japan, there would be no war in the world, he said.

The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association said that Ohashi arrived in Taiwan on Thursday for a three-day visit, and is expected to meet with other Taiwanese officials before his departure today.

Premier Su Tseng- chang （蘇貞昌） also met with Ohashi on Friday to discuss Taiwan-Japan relations, the Executive Yuan said.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES