New Southbound Policy Portal

President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan will always stand by its like-minded friends in Japan Jan. 23, spotlighting the government’s determination to further foster the long-standing friendship between the two sides.

Taiwan and Japan have taken turns to offer support and assistance to each other during times of crisis for many years, Tsai said. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception, with cooperation on repatriating citizens a notable success story, she added.
 
Tsai made the remarks via video during a Taiwan-Japan friendship event held at the country’s tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101, six months before the expected start of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics Games. To mark the occasion, the landmark was lit up with a series of messages highlighting the pair’s close relationship.
 
According to Tsai, the government and people were pleasantly surprised to see Japan’s Tokyo Tower displaying the colors of Taiwan’s national flag earlier this month as part of the city’s Taiwan Festival. People on both sides have forged deep connections over the years, and this trend will go on as exchanges between them continue to flourish, she said.
 
The friendship event is part of a series of activities being hosted by the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association to show appreciation for the assistance of Taiwan’s people after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The disaster’s 10th anniversary is this year. (DL-E)

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