Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) met on Wednesday with a delegation led by Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association Chairman Seishiro Eto, emphasizing the critical role of Taiwan-Japan ties in trade and regional security.

Cho highlighted mutual disaster relief efforts, noting that both nations face frequent earthquakes, typhoons, and floods. He remarked that during last year’s typhoon, Japan provided Taiwan with water-level monitoring equipment, bringing great safety to Taiwanese people. He expressed hopes for deeper cooperation on disaster intelligence and early warning systems.

On regional security, Cho thanked the recent Japan-U.S. summit, where Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed the importance of Taiwan Strait peace and stability, supporting dialogue to resolve cross-strait issues. The U.S. issued a fact sheet post-meeting underscoring this commitment as vital to regional security and global prosperity.

The premier cited Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi’s talks with the U.S. vice president, which addressed Taiwan issues, China’s unilateral coercive changes in the East and South China Seas, and export controls. He emphasized that these are of great concern worldwide. 

Cho noted alignment between Takaichi’s 17 strategic fields and President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) five trusted industry sectors, plus the Cabinet’s 13 national strategic industries, spanning silicon photonics, quantum tech, drones, biotech, critical minerals, infrastructure, culture, and tourism. He called for joint efforts to seize global opportunities. 

Eto praised Taiwan’s democratic values, affirming its rising strategic role in the Indo-Pacific. The association backs Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the WHO, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and INTERPOL, pushing to expand its international space.