President Tsai Ing-wen visited the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association to offer condolences for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe July 11 in Taipei City and expressed gratitude for his contributions to the strong bilateral relationship.

Tsai said the former PM was a leader deeply admired across the international community for his life-long dedication to promoting freedom, democracy and respect for human rights.

A good friend of Taiwan who visited the country multiple times, Abe had always spoken up forcefully for Taiwan in the international arena and supported the country’s global participation, Tsai said. Japan and Taiwan have always helped each other through challenges such as post-earthquake recovery and the COVID-19 pandemic, she added.

Tsai said the former PM was a longstanding friend for over a decade and recalled his warm smile and greeting at their online meeting this past March. His friendship and warmth to Taiwan will always live on in the hearts of the people, she added.

The president expressed her deepest condolences to the former PM’s family on behalf of the government and people, and reiterated strong condemnation of the violent act that took his life.

Tsai said people from all over Taiwan have visited JTEA over the past few days to leave messages of sympathy and appreciation for the former PM. All government agencies and public schools flew the national flag at half-staff for the day in a sign of respect for the country’s eternal friend, she said.

As people from both countries mourn the loss of the former PM, his work for expanded Taiwan-Japan cooperation will always be remembered, Tsai said. The government of Taiwan is committed to advancing ever more fruitful cooperation with Japan while jointly upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific, she added. (SFC-E)

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