Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) Japanese lawmaker and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) youth wing Norikazu Suzuki met with Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in Taipei Monday to discuss measures for contributing to regional peace and stability, according to the Presidential Office.
Suzuki described Taiwan as an important partner of Japan, adding that the LDP’s youth wing under his leadership would seek to strategize and implement measures contributing to peace and stability across the Asia-Pacific region, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Office.
Suzuki added that his delegation of over 60 individuals included members of the National Diet as well as local councilors and college students, who he said bore the responsibility of shaping Japan’s future.
Suzuki said Taiwan and Japan shared a “genuine friendship” underwritten by a commitment to universal values such as democracy and human rights.
Suzuki, who will join Taiwanese legislators on a trip to Palau after he wraps up his visit in Taipei, vowed to build upon the solid foundation established by his predecessors to elevate Taiwan-Japan relations to new heights, an aspiration he said was shared by all the delegation’s members.
In response, Lai, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) 2024 presidential nominee, described the delegation members as an “emerging force” in the Japanese parliament that plays a critical role in the country’s overall development.
The vice president said that in addition to closer ties between the people of Japan and Taiwan, the two countries’ already substantial economic relationship was also growing.
Taiwan is currently Japan’s fourth-largest trading partner while Japan is Taiwan’s third-largest trading partner, and that bilateral trade hit a record high at US$88.2 billion last year, Lai noted.
Lai concluded by saying it was important for Taiwan and Japan to work together to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific to pave the way for regional and global prosperity.
Suzuki’s delegation, which arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a four-day visit, is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Lai’s rivals in Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election, including New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
