Taipei: President Lai Ching-te on Sunday praised the establishment of a research center in Taipei, named after the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as a significant platform for advancing Taiwan-Japan cooperation. The center is located at the National Chengchi University's College of International Affairs in Taipei.According to Focus Taiwan, during the center's opening ceremony, Lai highlighted Abe's contributions and friendship with Taiwan. Abe, who served as Japan's longest-serving prime minister, offered support to Taiwan following the Tainan and Hualien earthquakes in 2017 and 2018. After stepping down in 2020, Abe advocated that a "Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan," amid growing Chinese military pressure on Taiwan. He also proposed the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific, which was later embraced by the United States and its allies, leading to the formation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between Japan, the U.S., Australia, and India.Lai emphasized Abe's foresig ht in maintaining peace in Taiwan and noted that Abe's passing was a loss for Japan, Taiwan, and the world. The opening of the Abe research center coincided with Abe's birthday on September 21, which is also the International Day of Peace, designated by the United Nations. Lai expressed hope that the center will foster talent and promote the study of Abe's ideals, strengthening cooperation between Taiwan and Japan.Abe's wife, Akie Abe, attended the ceremony and expressed her gratitude to Taiwan and NCCU for the center's establishment. She shared her commitment to continuing the positive exchanges between Japan and Taiwan initiated by her husband, ensuring his legacy endures.Shinzo Abe passed away on July 8, 2022, after being shot during an election campaign in Nara. Serving as Japan's prime minister from 2006-2007 and 2012-2020, Abe was known for his support of Taiwan, including his stance on strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan-U.S. relations. Despite his support, Abe's nationalistic policies, including changes to Japanese legislation allowing overseas troop deployments, sparked controversy in Japanese politics.