Today (10th), Kazuyuki Katayama, the Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office, met with Mayor Hou Yu-ih of New Taipei City. The discussion focused on tourism, economic development and trade, and Taiwan-Japan relations.
 
In his address, Mayor Hou stated that he was very honored to welcome Representative Katayama, who assumed his position last year and brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to Taiwan. New Taipei City has close ties with Japan, with locations such as Tamsui and Jiufen being particularly popular among Japanese tourists. The Association has strongly supported cultural activities in New Taipei City and looks forward to further exchanges with more Japanese cities.

Mayor Hou also mentioned the recent strong earthquake in Hualien, thanking Japan for its immediate expression of concern and hoping for a continued deepening of Taiwan-Japan relations.



Representative Katayama, in his remarks, noted the close geographical and historical ties between Taiwan and Japan and expressed gratitude for Mayor Hou’s personal reception today.

He also recalled the strong earthquake that hit the Noto Peninsula in Japan earlier this year, thanking the Taiwanese people for their donations and assistance. Following the recent earthquake in Hualien, the Japanese government donated one million US dollars to aid Taiwan's disaster relief efforts, hoping that the cycle of goodwill between the two will continue.
 


The delegation included Michi Kakizawa, Director of General Affairs, and Yuji Takikawa, Director of Foreign Affairs at the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. Accompanying Mayor Hou were John Feng, former Representative to Japan, Lee Ching-an, Commissioner of the Fire Department, He Yi-ming, Director-general of the Economic Development Department, Yang Tsung-min, Director-general of the Tourism and Travel Department, and Yao Ching-Yu, Director-general of the Secretariat.