ASIATODAY.ID, TAIPEI — Strategic relations between Japan and Taiwan are entering a new phase as Tokyo’s increasingly explicit political, economic, and people-centered support for Taipei sends a strong signal of commitment to peace in the Taiwan Strait and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has openly expressed appreciation for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, praising her consistent stance in support of Japan–Taiwan friendship and her firm emphasis on regional peace and security.
President Lai Praises Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Firm Support
President Lai received Koichi Hagiuda, senior member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, along with his delegation at the Presidential Office on Monday, December 22, 2025.
During the meeting, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Takaichi for repeatedly affirming the importance of Taiwan–Japan relations since taking office and for highlighting the critical role of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait on the international stage.
President Lai expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan would continue to stand together, strengthen mutual support, and deepen cooperation across a wide range of fields—including economic partnership, technological exchange, regional security, and people-to-people ties—while jointly advancing the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Since assuming office, Prime Minister Takaichi has consistently voiced support for Taiwan in major diplomatic forums, including the U.S.–Japan Summit, the Japan–ASEAN Summit, the APEC Annual Meetings, and various international public platforms.
President Lai also noted the strong public backing enjoyed by Prime Minister Takaichi’s cabinet in Japan, expressing confidence that Tokyo will play an increasingly influential role in safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific.
Japan Calls Taiwan a Key Partner and Trusted Friend
In his remarks, Koichi Hagiuda emphasized that Taiwan is a key partner and trusted friend of Japan.
He underlined that both sides share common universal values, maintain close economic ties, and benefit from vibrant people-to-people exchanges.
Hagiuda also revealed that during the recent APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), Prime Minister Takaichi held a bilateral meeting with Taiwan’s representative Lin Hsin-yi, focusing on strengthening cooperation in areas such as economic development, disaster prevention, and other strategic sectors.
He added that the LDP has maintained long-standing exchanges with Taiwan through its Youth Bureau, forming a solid foundation for the deepening of bilateral friendship and cooperation.
Former Japanese Justice Minister Advances Protection of Taiwanese Citizens
The strengthening of Japan–Taiwan relations was further underscored by the arrival of former Japanese Minister of Justice Keisuke Suzuki, who began a three-day visit to Taiwan.
Suzuki was accompanied by former Prime Ministerial Adviser Akihisa Nagashima, former Deputy Justice Minister Junichi Kanda, and other senior political figures.
A veteran LDP politician, Suzuki has held several key positions, including Minister of Justice, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Vice Minister of Finance, and is widely regarded as having deep expertise in Japanese diplomacy and regional security policy.
While serving as Justice Minister, Suzuki implemented an administrative reform allowing tens of thousands of Taiwanese residents in Japan to list “Taiwan” in Japan’s official resident registry starting May 26, 2025.
The move was widely seen as a landmark decision that significantly strengthened the rights and legal recognition of Taiwanese citizens living in Japan.
Japanese Parliamentary Delegations Step Up Engagement with Taiwan
In parallel, the Taiwan Visit Delegation of the Japanese House of Councillors’ TY-kai also arrived in Taiwan on December 22, 2025. The delegation is led by Hirofumi Takinami and includes Shiori Takinami, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Daichi Suzuki, and Kazuhiro Miyamoto.
During their stay, delegation members are scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Premier Cho Jung-tai, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, Chairman of the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association Su Jia-chyuan, and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi.
Japan–Taiwan Alignment Sends a Strong Regional Message
The series of high-level visits and unequivocal public statements highlights that Japan–Taiwan relations are no longer merely symbolic, but have evolved into a robust strategic partnership.
Amid growing geopolitical tensions in East Asia, closer alignment between Tokyo and Taipei sends a clear message of shared commitment to regional peace, Taiwan Strait stability, and the preservation of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific order. (AT Network)
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