Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te Meets with LDP Youth Division, Reaffirms Strong Japan-Taiwan Ties

On Tuesday, Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Youth Division in Taipei. During the meeting, Lai and current President Tsai Ing-wen affirmed the strong friendship and cooperation between Taiwan and Japan.

Lai expressed his expectation to boost bilateral cooperation, promote economic development, and deepen people-to-people relations after his inauguration on May 20. He conveyed appreciation for Japan's support following the recent earthquakes in Hualien County, Taiwan, and the Noto Peninsula in Japan, highlighting the mutual assistance provided by both sides in response to these natural disasters.

The LDP delegation, led by House of Representatives lawmaker Takako Suzuki, plays a key role in interactions between Taiwan and Japan. Several Japanese prime ministers have belonged to the LDP Youth Division, emphasizing its significance in fostering ties between the two countries.

Lai emphasized his hopes for stronger cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in various fields, stating, "I hope the expanded cooperation will deepen the emotional bond between the people of Taiwan and Japan, and promote economic development and peace in the region." Suzuki responded by affirming that Japan-Taiwan ties will surely become stronger going forward, expressing optimism that the two countries will bring hope, peace, and stability to the region through their partnership.

Why this matters: The meeting between Lai and the LDP Youth Division delegation reaffirms the strong and growing ties between Taiwan and Japan. As regional stability faces challenges, the commitment to deeper cooperation and mutual support between these two key Asian democracies holds significant implications for the geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.

The meeting also touched upon the legacy of the late former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui, known for his affinity for Japan and his service as a lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army. As Lai prepares to assume the presidency on May 20, he has tapped Lin Chia-lung as the new foreign minister and Francois Wu as the deputy foreign minister to help deepen Taiwan's global ties and address the threat of regional hegemony through strengthened partnerships with allies like Japan.

Key Takeaways

• Taiwan's President-elect Lai met with Japan's LDP Youth Division in Taipei.
• Lai and Tsai affirmed strong Taiwan-Japan friendship, cooperation, and mutual support.
• Lai aims to boost bilateral ties, economy, and people-to-people relations with Japan.
• LDP delegation plays key role in Taiwan-Japan interactions, fostering regional stability.
• Lai taps new foreign ministers to deepen Taiwan's global ties and address regional threats.