MOFA extends sincere congratulations to LDP President Takaichi on reelection as prime minister of Japan

MOFA extends sincere congratulations to LDP President Takaichi on reelection as prime minister of Japan

• Date：2026-02-18
• Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

February 18, 2026
No. 052

During a special session of the National Diet of Japan, convened on February 18, to designate a new prime minister, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi obtained the votes required to become the 105th prime minister of Japan. She will now go on to form a cabinet for the second time.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung extends sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi and has instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan to offer congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi and her cabinet on behalf of the government of Taiwan.

Prime Minister Takaichi, who enjoys a strong popular mandate, has long supported Taiwan through concrete actions. During her tenure as chairperson of the LDP Policy Research Council, she included support for Taiwan's membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the World Health Organization in the LDP's election manifesto. In 2025, prior to her election as LDP president, she led a delegation to Taiwan to meet with President Lai Ching-te and other prominent figures from various sectors of Taiwanese society. Since becoming prime minister, she has been quick to assert the importance of upholding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at key international events. Furthermore, the government of Japan has consistently prioritized the robust development of Taiwan-Japan relations. After Japan's House of Representatives election this year, Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi stated in response to a media question that the Japanese government would maintain its existing position on Taiwan and further deepen cooperation and exchanges.

Taiwan and Japan are key partners in the first island chain. Taiwan looks forward to working with Japan to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific and further deepen mutually beneficial and comprehensive bilateral ties to jointly contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)