President Tsai Encourages Taiwan-Japan Friendship when Accepting Widow of Shinzo Abe

JAKARTA - President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday called for enhancing Taiwan's friendship with Japan, as she received Akie Abe, the widow of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in Taipei.

President Tsai took the opportunity to express her country's appreciation for the late PM Abe's attitude of support, including his statement that "any state of emergency surrounding Taiwan will become an emergency for Japan."

By expressing such views, Japan's longest-serving leader "adopted a position that places greater importance on Taiwan," said President Tsai, quoted by Kyodo News, July 20.

President Tsai said she could feel the late Shinzo Abe's sincere feelings for Taiwan.

"I believe that what former Prime Minister Abe has done for Taiwan-Japan relations will be inherited by Akie, the governments and people of Taiwan and Japan. Taiwan-Japan cooperation will bring more results," President Tsai tweeted.

Akie Abe is known to have visited Taiwan for four days until this Thursday. She said her husband's soul had been present during the visit, making her feel a deep sense of friendship between Taiwan and Japan.

"Former Prime Minister Abe always thought about what he could do for Taiwan," said Akie.

Previously Akie Abe on Wednesday visited a military cemetery in New Taipei to pay tribute to former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui (1923-2020), who had close ties to Japan, as the late Shinzo Abe wanted.