President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with a delegation of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Youth Division at the Presidential Office on Tuesday, August 4. Lai expressed condolences for the recent earthquake in Japan’s Kumamoto region and noted that the greatest threat currently facing both Taiwan and Japan is not natural disasters, but rather the expansionist threat posed by China.

LDP Youth Division Director Shojiro Hiranuma is leading a delegation of nine Diet members and several other delegates on a visit to Taiwan. During the meeting with Lai, both sides exchanged views on topics including Taiwan-Japan relations, the regional situation, and industrial cooperation.

Lai said that the greatest threat currently facing Taiwan and Japan is not typhoons, earthquakes, nor infectious diseases, but rather China’s continued gray zone harassment and maritime coercion against countries in the region. He said Taiwan and Japan must stand united in order to safeguard democracy, freedom, peace, and prosperity.

Hiranuma said in his remarks that Taiwan and Japan, which occupy important positions along the first island chain, must stand shoulder to shoulder and work together, which is the only way to ensure stable peace and security in the region. He added that the Taiwan-Japan relationship is of great significance for industrial development, supply chain resilience, reducing dependence on any single market, and strengthening talent cultivation.