KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — The chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association discussed enhancing cooperation in industry, education, and tourism during a meeting with Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-Mai on Monday (Dec. 11).
Chiarman Mitsuo Ohashi emphasized Kaohsiung's significance in Japan's relations with Taiwan. He was accompagnied by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Kaohsiung Office Director Masafumi Oku.
Speaking to the media, Mayor Chen expressed his enthusiasm for deeper Taiwan-Japan interactions, highlighting the vital role of Taiwan's semiconductor industry in global supply chain security. He highlighted the presence of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) plants in both Kaohsiung and Kumamoto, Japan, as an opportunity for economic collaboration.
Referring to the enduring friendship between Taiwan and Japan, Chen described their relationship as growing stronger, citing past cooperation during crises and Japan's donation of 4.2 million vaccine doses to Taiwan.
Ohashi, who visited Kaohsiung 40 years ago and maintains connections with past Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu and Taiwan's representative to Japan, Frank Hsieh, expressed admiration for Kaohsiung's recent development. He advocated for private enterprise-level cooperation between Japan and Kaohsiung, foreseeing a promising future for Japanese-Taiwanese relations.
Ohashi, known for advocating friendly Japan-Taiwan relations, sees them as an example for the international community.
