Taipei: Japan’s top representative in Taiwan has expressed gratitude for Taiwan’s support following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan. At a memorial ceremony in Taipei, Kazuyuki Katayama, chief representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s (JTEA) Taipei office, highlighted the enduring appreciation of the Japanese people for Taiwan’s generosity after the disaster.

According to Focus Taiwan, Katayama emphasized that the JTEA represents Japan’s interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic relations. He noted that since the disaster, people in Taiwan have consistently offered warmth, support, and comfort whenever Japan faces similar challenges. Katayama expressed confidence that the relationship of mutual support between Japan and Taiwan would continue, regardless of future difficulties.

The memorial reaffirmed the strong friendship and bond between the two sides, with Katayama noting that the relationship has continued to deepen 15 years after the tragedy. Taiwan’s donation of over US$240 million in aid following the disaster made it one of the largest contributors of financial assistance to Japan.

Isao Ueda, representing an overseas Japanese group in Taiwan, co-organized the memorial and recalled the concern and kindness shown by Taiwanese people following the disaster. He expressed hope that the kindness shown by Taiwan would not be forgotten and mourned the victims of the disaster.

The event, organized by several Japanese expatriate groups in Taiwan and held at the JTEA’s Taipei office, included a moment of silence and the laying of flowers to honor the victims. Lin Yu-hui, deputy head of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association under Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the ceremony on behalf of Taiwan’s government.