Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Commissioner Wei Yin of the Taipei City Government’s Department for Youth led a delegation to Japan, with the final stop being a visit to Nagoya City Hall. Representing Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, Commissioner Yin personally delivered a handwritten letter to Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirozawa, underscoring Taipei’s commitment to international cooperation. During the visit, Commissioner Yin engaged in in-depth discussions with Deputy Mayor Midori Sugino, Children and Youth Bureau Director Seiji Sato, and Sports and Civic Affairs Bureau Director Yoshito Toba, exploring opportunities for collaboration on youth policies.

Accompanied by Shih Kui-jung, President of the Nagoya Overseas Chinese Association, Vice President Yang Min-cheng, and Kazuhide Fujita, Leader of the Nagoya City Council LDP Caucus and Chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Friendly Parliamentarians Association, Commissioner Yin visited Nagoya City Hall to discuss topics such as public sports promotion, child and youth support, cultural and historical preservation, and environmental protection. Deputy Mayor Sugino shared that just two weeks ago, a Nagoya delegation had visited Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, and noted that Taipei and Vilnius have been sister cities since 1998. He expressed amazement at the serendipitous timing of Taipei’s visit, highlighting the strong international ties among the three cities. He further likened the potential trilateral partnership among Nagoya, Taipei, and Vilnius to a Japanese rice ball—tightly bound together to form a solid and enduring international alliance.

Commissioner Yin emphasized that both Taipei and Nagoya place great importance on youth development and cultural diversity, while also sharing common goals in sports promotion, historical building revitalization, and wildlife conservation. He noted a unique connection between the two cities: both are home to professional baseball teams with the name “Dragons”—Nagoya’s Chunichi Dragons and Taipei’s Wei Chuan Dragons. This not only symbolizes a special bond between the two cities but also presents greater opportunities for deeper collaboration. Additionally, Commissioner Yin pointed out the historical similarities between Taipei and Nagoya, as both Nagoya Castle and Taipei City Wall were once vital local defense structures. In terms of wildlife conservation, he highlighted the collaboration between Nagoya’s Higashiyama Zoo and Taipei Zoo. Last March, "Mo Dou" the Malayan tapir from Taipei Zoo officially arrived at Higashiyama Zoo, marking a milestone in wildlife conservation efforts between the two cities.

Commissioner Yin also noted that Nagoya will host the Asian Games in the fall of 2026, while Taipei will welcome the "Twin Taipei World Masters Games" this May, presenting a valuable opportunity for international exchange. Legislator Kazuhide Fujita pointed out the strong connections between these two major sporting events, stating that with the right timing, conditions, and support, a deeper collaboration would be a golden opportunity. Commissioner Yin emphasized that international sporting events not only showcase both cities’ commitment to athletic development but also serve to further strengthen bilateral ties. By working together, Taipei and Nagoya can enhance their global influence and create mutually beneficial opportunities. Commissioner Yin once again presented Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s handwritten letter to Mayor Hirozawa, reinforcing Taipei’s dedication to international cooperation and expressing a sincere hope for a closer partnership between the two cities.

During this visit to Japan, the Department for Youth also formally signed an International Internship Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with Waseda University, marking the university’s first-ever partnership with a local Taiwanese government. This agreement paves the way for new opportunities in international career development for young professionals. Additionally, Commissioner Yin visited the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Youth Division, extending congratulations to its newly appointed Director, Representative Yasutaka Nakasone. Moving forward, the Department for Youth will continue to advance international youth development, sports exchanges, and urban cooperation, further deepening partnerships and creating new avenues for collaboration.