Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa has reaffirmed the government's consistent position regarding Taiwan, saying Japan will continue to deepen relations.

Hayashi told reporters on Monday that he will refrain from commenting on the protest lodged by the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on Sunday after Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko issued a congratulatory message to Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te. The Chinese side expressed "strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to the statement.

Hayashi said, "For Japan, Taiwan is an extremely crucial partner and an important friend, with which it shares fundamental values and enjoys close economic relations and people-to-people exchanges."
He added that Japan has in the past congratulated Taiwan for having smoothly implemented elections in a democratic manner.

Hayashi said the Japanese government has consistently upheld its position to maintain a working relationship with Taiwan on a non-governmental basis in line with the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972.