Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) met on Friday with Sumi Shuzo, chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. In his statements, he thanked Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her statements supporting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Cho said Takaichi’s firm stand under external pressure highlights shared Taiwan-Japan values of justice and peace.  

During the meeting at the Cabinet, Cho praised Shuzo’s role in the 49th Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference, which produced progress in digital trade and local customs cooperation. The two sides signed the digital trade agreement, covering personal data protection, online consumer safety, and communications security, along with a regional customs cooperation memorandum to streamline trade between Kaohsiung and Kobe ports.

Cho expressed deep emotion over Takaichi’s remarks on regional stability, saying: "We were truly, truly moved by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent speech on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait area. This represents justice and peace, and we are profoundly grateful to Takaichi, the Japanese government and people for persisting with this under high pressure."

The Premier noted booming Taiwan-Japan exchanges, with rising Taiwanese tourists to Japan and popular Japanese performers in Taiwan. He added that Taiwan's popular pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka will be relocated domestically after the event for continued display. Shuzo said the conference upgraded a 2013 e-commerce pact into a digital trade agreement and advanced local customs ties, confident these will elevate bilateral relations.