Taipei, April 11 (CNA) Representatives of the Japanese expatriate community held a press conference Monday in which they expressed gratitude to the people of Taiwan for their support for Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
"Japanese nationals living in Taiwan have gained inspiration from the support offered by Taiwanese people and we are deeply touched by the heartwarming care of the people here, " said Tadashi Imai, Japan's representative to Taiwan.
Hours before Imai's speech, the Japanese government also wrote to the Taiwan government to express thanks to the Taiwanese people for their generous donations.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan's government and private sector have already raised nearly NT$4.4 billion (US$151.72 million) in cash for post-disaster relief programs in Japan and have delivered 582 tons of relief goods to the country.
However, it is the "special bonding" between the people of the two countries that has touched Imai, who noted that a bouquet was placed in front of his office March 14 by an anonymous person who left a note wishing "peace and wellbeing for the people of Japan."
"It is no exaggeration to say that my soul was thrilled by the flowers and the message, " he said, adding that he has never seen such a unique friendship and bonding between two countries in his 40-year diplomatic career, during which he has served in many parts of the world.
Hundreds of posters and notes sent by local students and residents to the Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ) -- Japan's representative office in Taiwan in the absence of bilateral diplomatic ties, were also displayed at the press conference, co-organized by the IAJ, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and the Japanese Association in Taiwan (JAT).
JAT Chairman Koichiro Kusano said the Taiwan people's warmth and hospitality is why Japanese expats "always feel at home" in Taiwan.
They have also shown great confidence in Japan, according to JCCI Acting President Masashi Kyota, who noted that the majority of Taiwanese companies -- despite suffering from the impact of disrupted supply chain issues -- have pledged to maintain cooperation with their Japanese partners despite the current difficulties. (By Chris Wang) ENDITEM/J