Taiwanese VP highlights economic ties with Japan

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te met with members of the Liberal Democratic Party's Youth Division from Japan on Monday (Aug. 21) morning.

In his remarks, Lai pointed out that Taiwan is currently Japan's fourth-largest trading partner, while Japan is Taiwan's third-largest, with bilateral trade reaching an all-time high of US＄88.2 billion last year.

Lai expressed hopes of further strengthening economic ties with Japan as part of his vision for Taiwan's future foreign relations. He also indicated devotion to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Norikazu Suzuki, a member of the Japanese Diet, echoed Lai's sentiments, asserting that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are significant not only to Japan but to the international community as a whole.

Lai incited a sense of brotherhood between the two nations, stating his wishes for the people of Taiwan and Japan to develop closer affiliations and engage in deeper cooperation for mutual benefit.

Suzuki lauded the relations between Taiwan and Japan as genuine friendship, emphasizing shared values like democracy and human rights, and expressed anticipation for the continued growth of Taiwan-Japan relations.