Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has met with a group of Japanese lawmakers, including two former defense ministers, in Taipei. She expressed her desire to deepen cooperation with Japan in security matters.

Tsai met with the Japanese lawmakers on Thursday. They included former defense ministers Ishiba Shigeru and Hamada Yasukazu. They are members of a cross-party national security group.

Tsai said that safeguarding Taiwan goes far beyond safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty. She pointed out that in terms of regional strategic security, Taiwan sits on a critical line of defense along the "First Island Chain." She said that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with Japan and other democratic partners in joint efforts to uphold peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific.

"The First Island Chain" that she referred to is a concept promoted by China. The line extends from Okinawa in southern Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines, and it is regarded as an important line of defense.

Tsai did not mention China, but her remarks clearly indicate Taiwan's deterrence against any contingency in the Taiwan Strait.

In response, Ishiba said, "We have to be prepared to prevent an emergency situation in the region." He stressed the importance of reaching a consensus beforehand on the kind of situations to anticipate, and the kind of units to deploy based on laws and treaties. He said, otherwise, there will be no deterrence. Ishiba expressed hope that the meeting with the Taiwan leader will help in reaching a resolution of each specific issue.

Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te also met with the four Japanese lawmakers. He used stronger terms than President Tsai in calling for stronger cooperation with Japan in defending Taiwan against a threat posed by China.

He said that if Japan and Taiwan do not cooperate and Taiwan is taken over by China, Japan will be next.