Taiwan President Lai Ching-te delivered a video speech on Tuesday morning for the "First International Forum on Shinzo Abe and Modern Japanese Studies," affirming that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was a visionary politician who left a profound impact on the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region, and was also a good friend forever cherished by the people of Taiwan.
He pointed out that both Taiwan and Japan occupy important strategic positions on the first island chain and face similar security challenges. He looks forward to Taiwan and Japan continuously deepening cooperation in various fields in the future, jointly safeguarding the values of democracy and freedom, and promoting regional peace, prosperity, and development.
The world's first Shinzo Abe Research Center was unveiled at National Chengchi University last year. Today, the "First International Forum on Shinzo Abe and Modern Japanese Studies" was held in Tokyo, Japan, with President Lai Ching-te delivering a video address at the forum's opening.
Lai Ching-te stated that he attended the inauguration of the "Shinzo Abe Research Center" last year and hopes the center will become an important platform for the "Abe Political and Economic School" as well as for Taiwan-Japan cooperation. The theme of today's forum is "Abe's Grand Strategy and Taiwan-Japan Relations as the Cornerstone of the Indo-Pacific." It is particularly meaningful for Taiwan and Japan, two democratic partners, to review history and look to the future together.
He pointed out that Shinzo Abe was a visionary politician and is a good friend forever cherished by the people of Taiwan. Not only did Abe propose the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" initiative with a broad perspective, leaving a lasting impact on the stability and prosperity of the region, but he also raised the concept of "a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency," drawing international attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and allowing Taiwan to feel Japan's sincere and steadfast friendship. This warmth is always remembered by the people of Taiwan.
He also thanked current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for continuing Shinzo Abe's vision in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
He looks forward to future cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in various fields reaching new milestones, jointly safeguarding shared values of democracy and freedom, and together promoting regional peace, prosperity, and development.