Lai congratulates Sanae Takaichi on her election as LDP president

Taipei, Oct. 4 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Saturday congratulated Sanae Takaichi on her election as the 29th president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), expressing his hope to deepen Taiwan-Japan ties in all areas.

Describing Takaichi as "a staunch friend of Taiwan," Lai said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he hoped to elevate Japan-Taiwan relations to a new level and strengthen security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

In a statement from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai, who serves as the DPP's chairman, also thanked all five candidates for their support of Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Lai expressed his gratitude to outgoing LDP President Shigeru Ishiba, who "deepened Taiwan-Japan ties and contributed to regional stability" during his tenure as Japan's prime minister.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) also instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan to send a congratulatory message on behalf of Taiwan following Saturday's election, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Takaichi, a former Japanese economic security minister, won the presidency on her third attempt after losses in 2021 and 2024.

Japan will convene an extraordinary Diet session to elect a successor to Ishiba, with Takaichi poised to become the country's first female prime minister.