President Lai delivers video address at Abe Shinzo Forum, hopes to deepen Taiwan-Japan cooperation

(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, 9th) President Lai Ching-te delivered a video address on the morning of the 9th to the "First International Forum on Shinzo Abe and Modern Japanese Studies," praising former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a visionary statesman and a good friend whom the people of Taiwan will always remember. The President expressed hope for continued deepening of cooperation in various fields to jointly safeguard democratic and free values and promote regional peace, prosperity, and development.

According to a press release from the Presidential Office, President Lai noted that last year he attended the inaugural ceremony of the "Shinzo Abe Research Center" at National Chengchi University, expressing hope that the center would become an "Abe political and economic academy" and an important platform for Taiwan-Japan cooperation. He thanked the organizers and co-organizers for their dedication in holding the "First International Forum on Shinzo Abe and Modern Japanese Studies" in Tokyo.

President Lai said that National Chengchi University has established the world's first permanent research institution named after Shinzo Abe, and that this forum, themed "Abe's Grand Strategy and Taiwan-Japan Relations as the Cornerstone of the Indo-Pacific," is particularly meaningful for the two democratic partners, Taiwan and Japan, to review history and look toward the future together.

He stated that Shinzo Abe was a visionary statesman and a good friend whom the people of Taiwan will always remember. With a macro perspective, Abe proposed the concept of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," leaving a profound impact on the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

President Lai particularly noted that Abe's statement, "A crisis in Taiwan is a crisis for Japan," drew international attention to the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and made Taiwan feel Japan's sincere and steadfast friendship. The people of Taiwan will always cherish this warmth.

He said that with the support of Abe and those present, Taiwan-Japan relations have continuously deepened, and the profound friendship between the two sides has transcended geographical and political barriers, becoming a cornerstone of peace and prosperity in East Asia.

The President stated that both Taiwan and Japan occupy important strategic positions in the first island chain and face similar security challenges. He thanked Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru for continuing Abe's vision, repeatedly emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait in international forums, and proposing an upgraded "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy. He noted that strengthening security guarantees, enhancing economic security, and deepening cooperation with democratic partners will inevitably contribute further to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

President Lai said that through the signing of the "Taiwan-Japan Digital Trade Agreement" last year, Taiwan and Japan took an important step in digital economy and supply chain integration. He expressed hope that future cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in various fields will continue to set new milestones, jointly safeguarding shared democratic and free values and promoting regional peace, prosperity, and development.