Tsai Attends Opening of Shinzo Abe Exhibition 出席安倍紀念影像展 總統盼台日友好延續

President Tsai Ing-wen lauded former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his contributions to Taiwan at the opening ceremony of a photographic exhibition on his life, and said she hopes the sparks of friendship between the two sides can continue to fly. Japan's representative to Taiwan, meanwhile, said Japan will always be by Taiwan's side and Taiwan and Japan will be good friends forever.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is regarded as the most "Taiwan-friendly" prime minister Japan ever had. To commemorate Abe, who died last year, a Taiwanese civic group has organized a photographic exhibition. President Tsai Ing-wen, who gave a speech at the opening, again thanked Abe for his contributions to bilateral relations. 

Tsai Ing-wen, ROC President: “We are eagerly awaiting the day when Taiwan and Japan can continuously strengthen their cooperation in all areas and establish an even closer partnership so that the sparks of friendship can continue flying between Taiwan and Japan.”

Frank Hsieh, Representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan: “So, historically speaking (Abe) was the most Taiwan-friendly prime minister in the history of the world. So, we miss him so much.”

The exhibition features 200 photographs of Abe taken by Sankei Shimbun photographers over a period of 30 years, including precious personal photos. The photographs were shipped to Taiwan. Abe's widow also recorded a video in which she said she hopes to visit Taiwan in July.

Akie Abe, Shinzo Abe's Widow: “I hope to see everyone in Taiwan in July. If a lot of people attend the exhibition, I'm sure that would make him very happy.”

Japan's representative in Taiwan, Hiroyasu Izumi, recently commented on Taiwan's latest diplomatic setback, saying Japan will always be by Taiwan's side.

Hiroyasu Izumi, Representative, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association: “We always support Taiwan. We are really good friends. We care about your problems.”

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi recently said Japan and Taiwan share core values and Taiwan is an important partner and friend. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs effusively expressed its gratitude for the comment and said it will continue to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries that share the same ideals.

手上拿著用毛筆寫下的「台灣加油」，日本前首相安倍晉三被稱為最友台的日本首相，去年不幸逝世。現在台灣民間團體舉辦紀念影像展，總統蔡英文出席致詞，也再次感謝安倍對台日關係的貢獻。

蔡英文表示：「我們期待台灣和日本在各領域能夠不斷的深化合作，建立更緊密的夥伴關係，讓台日友好的火苗能夠延續。」

駐日代表謝長廷說：「安倍是歷史上對台灣最友善的首相，全世界的首相比，他也是最友善，所以我們非常的感念他。」

安倍紀念影像展是由《產經新聞》多名攝影記者歷時近30年拍下的安倍身影，還有珍藏的生活照等，共約200張照片從日本運到台灣展出。安倍晉三夫人安倍昭惠也錄製影片，透露希望7月能夠訪台。

安倍昭惠提及：「7月份的紀念影像展，我希望到時候能到台灣和大家相聚。這次的紀念影像展，如果能有很多人來看外子的照片，我想他也是會很高興的。」

台日關係深厚，這次遇上台宏斷交，日本駐台代表泉裕泰也立即發文表示，會一直在台灣的身邊，台日一起加油，展現支持台灣的態度。

日本駐台代表泉裕泰表示：「總是支持台灣，我們是很好的朋友，你們有問題我們很關心。」

日本外相林芳正先前也表示，基於區域和平穩定，對宏都拉斯與中國建交表示關注；強調台灣和日本共享基本價值，是日本極為重要的夥伴和朋友。外交部表達誠摯感謝並將持續與理念相近國家深化各項合作。