The Japanese government expressed its congratulations on the inauguration of Lai Ching-te as the new President of Taiwan.
Hayashi Yoshimasa, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, said at a press conference on the morning of the 20th that he hopes the friendship between Japan and Taiwan will deepen under President Lai.
Secretary Hayashi described Taiwan as "a very important partner and valued friend with whom we basically share values and have close economic ties and people-to-people exchanges," expressing hope that cooperation and exchanges will become even more active.
He also paid tribute to former President Tsai Ing-wen, who completed her eight-year term and stepped down.
The bipartisan Japanese parliamentary group friendly to Taiwan, the "Nippon-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association," sent 30 lawmakers to Taiwan to coincide with President Lai's inauguration ceremony.
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