VP Lai receives delegation from Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture

2023/05/05

Vice President Lai Ching-te said May 3 that Taiwan is committed to working with Japan to boost mutual economic development and play a vital role in post-pandemic global economic recovery.
 
Lai made the remarks while receiving a Kumamoto Prefecture delegation of local officials and Diet members from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
 
Taiwan and Japan have been true friends in adversity over the past decades, Lai said. This is evidenced by Japan’s donation of over four million vaccines to Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic and mutual support after earthquakes hit the southern city of Tainan and the southern prefecture of Kumamoto, respectively, in 2016, he added.
 
According to Lai, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s investment in Kumamoto prefecture is of great significance because the international community is looking for a reliable and safe supply chain due to geopolitical conflict. He added that he anticipates such investment will pave the way for further bilateral industrial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
 
Lai took the opportunity to urge Japan to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, adding that the country will be a key force in the regional economy and global supply chains.
 
In response, member of the House of Representatives Sakamoto Tetsushi said on behalf of the group, that both Japan’s central and Kumamoto governments are working together to build residences, international schools and Mandarin-speaking hospitals to facilitate TSMC’s staff and families.
 
Taiwan and Japan will continue to deepen exchanges in areas spanning culture, economy, politics, technology and intelligence information, he said, adding that the strong friendship will bring prosperity to the two sides and help maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)