MOFA response to statement by new Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara on deepening exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan

October 23, 2025

During a press conference on October 22, Japan's newly appointed Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that Taiwan and Japan shared fundamental values and that bilateral economic and trade relations were close. Noting the frequent people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, Mr. Kihara also described the two countries as being very important partners and dear friends. He added that the government of Japan, based on its existing policy position, would deepen exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung highly appreciates and welcomes these remarks.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet was formally inaugurated on October 21. The public pronouncement on October 22 of a willingness to further strengthen Japan's friendly cooperation with Taiwan demonstrates that upholding peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and advancing comprehensive partnership between the two countries remain the clear cross-party consensus in Japan, as well as the consistent stance of the Japanese administration.

Taiwan and Japan lie close to one another and their peoples enjoy strong and enduring ties. As members of the free and democratic community, the two nations are forces for good in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to promote the development of Taiwan-Japan relations and collaborate with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific.