Lai thanks Japan for its support of Eswatini visit

By Chen Yun / Staff reporter

President William Lai (賴清德) on Wednesday thanked the Japanese government and lawmakers for their vocal support of Taiwan after Beijing’s pressure forced him to temporarily delay his state visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini last month.

Meeting with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA) Chairman Shuzo Sumi at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Lai said that Japan’s firm stance demonstrates its steadfast commitment to regional peace and stability.

Lai praised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for introducing an upgraded “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy during her visit to Vietnam last week, adding that strengthening supply chain resilience, developing artificial intelligence and expanding security cooperation are crucial for the region’s prosperity.

Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office

The president said that the JTEA and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association have signed more than 100 memoranda of understanding across various fields, laying a solid foundation for bilateral exchanges.

Noting that Sumi has long been active in the Japanese business community and has held numerous key positions, Lai said he hoped Sumi could leverage his influence to further promote and deepen bilateral economic, trade and other cooperative efforts.

Sumi congratulated Lai on successfully completing his trip to Eswatini.

Bilateral ties have continued to deepen, he said, pointing to the launch of 3-nanometer chip production at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s plant in Kumamoto as a symbol of closer cooperation.

Given the increasingly complex and uncertain international environment, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, partnerships based on shared values are more important than ever, Sumi said.

Sumi said that his itinerary includes attending a memorial service marking the 84th anniversary of the death of Japanese civil engineer Yoichi Hatta at the Wushantou Reservoir (烏山頭水庫) in Tainan, while thanking Taiwanese for continuing to cherish and maintain the Japanese-built infrastructure.