Mayor Hou presents ceramic art from Yingge to Councillor Member Hironori Takinami.

Japanese House of Councillors Member Hironori Takinami led a delegation from the pro-Taiwan parliamentary TY Group on an official visit to New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih today (22). The two sides exchanged views on further deepening friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan.
 
Mayor Hou noted that Member Takinami has a longstanding and close relationship with New Taipei City. Shimen District and Tamsui District of New Taipei City are respectively friendship cities with Mihama Town and Ōi Town in Fukui Prefecture—Member Takinami's electoral constituency. Tamsui District established its ties with Ōi Town through the relocation of the Tamsui Itteki Memorial House, and with Member Takinami's support, the two officially became friendship cities in 2023. Meanwhile, Shimen District has maintained a sister-city relationship with Mihama Town for 37 years, with consistent and continuous exchanges at both the official and school levels.
 

Group photo of attendees.

Mayor Hou further remarked that Japanese cities and New Taipei City share many similarities in terms of social structure and developmental challenges, offering ample opportunities for mutual learning across various fields. In addition to exchanges and cooperation at the local level, Mayor Hou expressed hope that connections facilitated by pro-Taiwan parliamentary groups would further strengthen bilateral engagement.

Member Takinami stated that he led the TY Group delegation to New Taipei City on this visit, noting that “TY” stands for “Taiwan Friendship” in Japanese. He recalled visiting the Shimen District Office last year and touring Shimen Cave and the Fugui Cape Lighthouse, leaving him deeply impressed by New Taipei City's natural scenery. This time, he returns to New Taipei City with several senators who assumed office this past July, to exchange views with Mayor Hou and continue advancing Taiwan–Japan friendship.


Councillor Member introducing Fukui Prefecture's tourist attractions and local specialties to Mayor Hou. 

Distinguished members of the visiting delegation included Member of the House of Councillors Hironori Takinami and his wife, as well as Members Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Miyamoto, and Daichi Suzuki. Representing the New Taipei City Government were Deputy Secretary-General Ko Ching-chung, Director-General of the Secretariat Juh Hui-mei, Director-General of the New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau Chen Shi-hui, and Senior Executive Officer Chien Chen-yu.