The Tokoname Chamber of Commerce and Taichung International Management Council (IMC) visited the Taichung City Government Bureau of Tourism on June 23 to promote industry and tourism in Taichung, where they were warmly received by Bureau Chief Chen Shengshan. During the meeting, they discussed promoting Taichung tourism so as to attract Japanese tourists, as well as inviting Tokoname City to participate in the 2018 Taichung Flower Expo. Taiwan and Japan both hope to increase economic development and tourism between both countries in a win-win situation.
The representatives of the Tokoname Chamger of Commerce were Consultant Sinohara, Group Leader Kaoru Kaiba, and Chief Secretary Nakayama Katsuki. They were all warmly received at the Taichung City Government Building by Bureau of Tourism Chief Chen Shengshan.
Mr. Chen stated that the relationship between Taichung and Japan is increasingly close, especially after the tourism cooperation agreement signed by the central parts of both countries, as well as the airports becoming sister airports. Tokoname is home to the Chubu Centrair International Airport, which serves as the all-important gateway to the world for 23 million Japanese citizens living in the center of Japan.
He went on to indicate that Taichung is planning to hold a Taichung festival at the Chubu Centrair International Airport in the latter half of this year in order to promote Taichung tourism, food, flowers, and cakes, and serve as a warm up and promotional event for next year’s 2018 Flower Expo. Taichung has invited Tokoname to attend the 2017 Taichung International Dance Parade and Festival in mid-November of this year, as well as next year’s 2018 Taiwan-Japan Tourism Summit.
The Tokoname Chamber of Commerce Bureau of Tourism Head Kaoru Kaiba stated that, although Tokoname City only has a population of 50,000, it is famous for its cultural significance, having over 1,000 years of history in the porcelain industry, and the famous maneki-neko, or beckoning cats produced there.
He emphasized that tourism is a two-way street, so Tokoname not only welcomes tourists from Taichung, but will also promote Taichung tourism.
Chief Secretary Nakayama Katsuki of the Himakajima Tourism Hotel, located on Himakajima Island also stated that he had travelled to Taichung once before, and discovered that Taichung still had many fascinating historic sites from the Japanese period and the people were extremely friendly. He hopes that this mutual tourism promotion can further improve relations between the people of Japan and Taiwan.
Chamber of Commerce Consultant, and consultant for this trip, Sinohara suggested that next year’s Flower Expo could make use of bicycle tourism by using bike paths to connect the 3 areas of the Flower Expo, and can also promote the development of bicycle manufacturing industry tourism in Taichung.
Bureau Chief Chen stated that Flower Expo bike paths were being planned. He also suggested that, because the 2018 Flower Expo Mascot is a stone tiger, which belongs to the feline family, coincidentally relating it to Tokoname’s maneki-neko. Together, these two felines can help the promotion efforts.
Chief Chen also thanked Upper Level Consultant Xie Chunxiang, Vice Director Weng Jinzhao, and Taichung members of the IMC National Alliance for their contribution to Taiwan-Japan relations.