Tsai Receives Japanese Diet Delegation 接見日參議員訪團 蔡英文:共護區域和平

One day after announcing the compulsory military service extended, President Tsai Ing-wen received a visiting Japanese National Diet delegation.

One day after announcing the compulsory military service period has been extended to one year, President Tsai Ing-wen received a visiting Japanese National Diet delegation composed of pro-Abe members and led by Hiroshige Seko, the secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party in the House of Councillors. She spoke about the deep friendship between Taiwan and Japan and how they face common threats. According to Tsai, her decision to extend the military service period was meant to show the world that Taiwan is committed to upholding regional peace and security.

Tsai Ing-wen, President: “Reinstating the one-year military service period and strengthening the training structure will allow Taiwan to continue to closely work with like-minded countries such as Japan, the U.S., and the EU to jointly defend regional peace and stability as well as create prosperous growth.”

Tsai named the U.S., Japan, and the EU as "like-minded countries," and said she is aiming to deepen cooperation with allies. Japan recently updated its national security strategy and greatly increased the defense budget, showing it values cross-strait peace. Seko said he approves of the military service extension and Taiwan's procurement of missiles, and the purpose of this trip was to hold in-depth conversations with Taiwan on related issues.

Hiroshige Seko, Japanese Councillor: “I personally would give Taiwan high marks for its policy to defend itself by extending the compulsory military service period, purchasing more missiles, and enacting other measures to strengthen the national defense.”

On Dec. 27, the AIT issued a statement welcoming the extension of the compulsory military service period, saying this underscores Taiwan's commitment to self-defense and strengthens deterrence. A White House spokesperson also welcomed the policy and reiterated the U.S. will continue abiding by the Taiwan Relations Act and one China policy to help Taiwan maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.

召開完兵役延長記者會隔天，總統蔡英文接見日本自民黨參議院幹事長世耕弘成率領的安倍派訪團。蔡英文除了表示台日友好的深厚情誼，面對共同的威脅，這次恢復義務役一年制，也是要讓國際看到台灣守護區域和平的決心。

總統蔡英文表示：「將恢復一年期的義務役，並強化訓練的內容。未來台灣將跟日本、美國 、歐盟等理念相近國家，持續緊密合作，共同維護區域的和平穩定，以及創造繁榮發展。」

蔡英文特別點名美日歐盟等理念相近國家，強化與盟友合作。尤其日本近來修訂國防3文件，大幅增加國防預算，重視台海和平。對於台灣的兵役延長、採購飛彈等政策，世耕弘成給予高度評價，此行也是要和台灣就相關議題進行深度討論。

日本自民黨參議院幹事長世耕弘成指出：「除了役期的延長以外，增加採購飛彈等加強國防。我對於台灣明確宣示，自己的國家自己防衛的政策，我個人給予高度的評價。」

美國在台協會27日晚間，也發文對兵役延長表示歡迎，認為這個宣布彰顯了台灣對自我防衛的承諾，並強化嚇阻能力。白宮發言人也同樣回應歡迎，並重申美方會依循《台灣關係法》與一個中國政策承諾，持續協助台灣維持足夠的自我防衛能力。