Taiwan has been "very moved" by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments last month on peace and stability, even in the face of strong pressure, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said today.
China and Japan are in their worst diplomatic crisis in years, after Takaichi said in parliament that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.
Meeting Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Shuzo Sumi in Taipei, Cho said that the government was grateful to Takaichi.
Photo: CNA
"Recently, Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks about stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait moved us all very, very much. They represent justice and peace," Cho said.
"We are also extremely grateful to Prime Minister Takaichi and to the Japanese government and people for continuing to uphold this justice and peace under such strong pressure."
Beijing has responded to Takaichi's comments with anger, accusing her of taking Japan back down the path of militarism, while Chinese airlines have mass canceled flights to the country and Japanese artists have been stopped from performing in China.
Cho said that in response to Chinese pressure on Japan, many Taiwanese have been changing their travel plans and choosing to visit the country.
"At the same time, we especially welcome Japanese performance groups and pop idols to come perform in Taiwan. We will definitely give them a full house and a very warm welcome," he added.
President William Lai (賴清德) on Wednesday last week announced an extra NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) in defense spending to better counter China's threats.
Cho said peace depends on strength.
"I sincerely hope that Taiwan is safe, Japan is safe and the world is at peace," he said.
Japan has also been boosting its defenses.
On Nov. 23, Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi said that plans were "steadily moving forward" to deploy a medium-range surface-to-air missile unit at a military base on Yonaguni, an island about 110km off Taiwan's east coast.
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