Taipei: A senior member of the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) has called for enhanced cooperation between Tokyo and Taipei to address modern defense needs and promote regional peace and stability. During a press event in Taipei, Nobuyuki Baba, the former JIP leader, emphasized the importance of collaboration in drone and space-based technologies. His remarks followed a meeting with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, where discussions centered on bilateral relations, as well as U.S.-China relations and other pertinent issues.
According to Focus Taiwan, Baba expressed gratitude to Taiwan for its generous donations following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that devastated Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture last month. The quake resulted in significant infrastructure damage, transportation disruptions, and at least 38 fatalities. A dedicated bank account established by the Taiwan government received more than NT$300 million (US$9.42 million) in private donations. Additionally, the Taiwan government contributed NT$5 million to support reconstruction efforts, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Baba highlighted the mutual support between Taiwan and Japan, noting that both nations have consistently aided each other during crises. He stated that he and President Lai agreed on the need to deepen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including the economy, culture, tourism, and disaster preparedness. On regional security, Baba revealed that Taiwan is actively enhancing its self-defense capabilities, an initiative that Japan is also considering amid escalating regional and global tensions.
The JIP, in collaboration with Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), aims to leverage drone and space-based technologies to revolutionize national defense and logistics. Baba underscored the potential for Tokyo and Taipei to jointly develop cutting-edge technologies, including drones, to meet the challenges of modern warfare.
During the earlier meeting, President Lai welcomed Baba and the JIP delegation to Taiwan at the Presidential Office. He acknowledged the JIP's longstanding Taiwan-friendly stance, referencing the party's donation following the 2024 Hualien earthquake in Taiwan. Lai emphasized the deep friendship between Taiwan and Japan, as demonstrated by their mutual assistance during the recent Kumamoto earthquake.
Lai expressed optimism for a stronger partnership between the two nations under the LDP-JIP coalition. He highlighted plans to build a "non-red" supply chain, aiming to enhance the resilience of global democratic supply chains and strengthen economic and trade cooperation between Japan and Taiwan.
The delegation accompanying Baba included JIP co-leader Fumitake Fujita and JIP Diet members Kaori Takagi, Takumi Shibata, Koichiro Ichimura, Toru Azuma, Mitsuko Ishii, Daisuke Katayama, Kenta Aoshima, Futoshi Okazaki, and Megumi Ishii.