Awkward! Lai Qingde Quickly Sent Earthquake Condolences and Donated — Lawyer Notes Kishida's Thank-You Message 'Omitted Lai': Japan May Take Further Steps

On July 28, 2026, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan. Taiwan responded swiftly, with President Lai Qingde immediately posting condolence messages in both Japanese and Chinese on the social media platform X. In his Japanese post, Lai stated, 'Taiwan and Japan are true friends who have overcome hardships together. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide necessary assistance at any time.' He expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people of Taiwan. Additionally, Taiwan's specialized search and rescue team has completed preparations and is on standby, ready to deploy to Japan upon request.

However, on July 29, Prime Minister Sanae Takai posted a message on X expressing 'sincere gratitude' to global leaders for their condolences. While she tagged several foreign heads of state and government officials—including those from the United States, India, and Italy—Lai Qingde was notably absent from the list, despite being among the first foreign leaders to issue a public message in Japanese and explicitly offering Taiwan's support.

Taiwanese lawyer Fang Eng-ge highlighted this omission on Facebook, calling out Yauchi Akio (Akio Yatabe), and suggesting that Japan might still formally acknowledge Taiwan's support separately. Furthermore, it was revealed that President Lai personally donated 200,000 yen to Japan following the earthquake.

Meanwhile, Akio Yatabe, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Institute, reported on Facebook that friends in Kumamoto described it as the strongest earthquake they had ever experienced. He also warned of misinformation spreading on Japanese social media, including claims of 'earthquake prediction' and 'man-made quakes,' urging the public to remain calm and avoid spreading rumors.

Some Japanese netizens expressed disappointment, questioning why Taiwan was overlooked and praising Taiwan for always being among the first to offer help. While Prime Minister Takai's post omitted Lai, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinichi Kihara publicly confirmed that Japan had received condolence messages from Taiwan and other regions worldwide, expressing gratitude for the international concern.

Although diplomatic sensitivities may have influenced the omission, the incident highlights the strong unofficial ties and practical cooperation between Japan and Taiwan, particularly in disaster response. The absence of Lai's name sparked debate, but Taiwan's swift humanitarian gesture reinforced its role as a reliable partner in times of crisis.