The Taiwan Relation Council Alliance (the Alliance) organized by the Wafutei Kyozuka City Council, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan visited Taiwan today (January 30) for the first time after its establishment. Mayor of Wafutei Kyozuka City Matsumoto Tetsuji and President of City Council Shimajiri Tadaaki led the Alliance to visit Mayor of Taichung City Lin Chia-lung with a view to better understanding the political and economic development and administration of Taichung City. Mayor Lin indicated that Taichung International Airport has direct flights to Naha Airport every week, which aims to promote tourism, economic development, and a friendly relation between Taiwan and Japan through convenient transport. Mayor Lin welcomed the Alliance to visit Taichung again for 2018 Taichung World Flora Exhibition.

Mayor of Wafutei Kyozuka City Matsumoto Tetsuji and President of City Council Shimajiri Tadaaki led the Alliance to visit Mayor of Taichung City Lin Chia-lung at the new city hall today (January 30). Director of Sports Bureau Wang Ching-tang, Director of Tourism Bureau Chen Cheng-shan, Deputy Director of Economic Development Bureau Li Yi-an, Chief Secretary of Agriculture Bureau also attended. Mayor of Wafutei Kyozuka City was amazed at the landscape of Taichung City. Mayor Lin also invited the Alliance to visit Taichung again for 2018 Taichung World Flora Exhibition. The mascot of the flora exhibition, leopard cat, also showed up by surprise to welcome the Alliance. Finally, Mayor Lin gave each member of the Alliance a marble sculpture called the Blissful Leopard Cat and pineapple cakes to show a sincere welcome.

Mayor Lin indicated that Iriomote cats on Iriomote Island share similar blood with Taiwanese leopard cats and hoped to learn more about the conservation of leopard cats through this exchange. Mayor Lin further pointed out that Taichung International Airport has 3 direct flights to Naha Airport every week, which aims to promote tourism, economic development, and a friendly relation between Taiwan and Japan through convenient transport. Mayor Lin welcomed the Alliance to visit Taichung again for 2018 Taichung World Flora Exhibition.

Mayor Matsumoto indicated that this was his the first time to visit Taichung and he was amazed at the landscape and new buildings of Taichung City. In the future, the US military base will be returned to the government of Japan. Taichung City will be referred to in the future construction and development of Wafutei Kyozuka City. Mayor Matsumoto also hoped that residents in Okinawa may have new understanding of Taichung City through direct flights and 2018 Taichung World Flora Exhibition.
President Shimajiri pointed out that the Alliance, established in August 2017, has actively promoted exchange with Taiwan. The Alliance visited Taichung for the first time and hoped toshare this experience with other members of the council. President Shimajiri also said with a smile that the council will budget for visit to 2018 Taichung World Flora Exhibition through this visit and hope to visit Taichung again.

The Agriculture Bureau indicated that Iriomote cats on Iriomote Island share similar blood with Taiwanese leopard cats, and both Iriomote cats and Taiwanese leopard cats are endangered species. There are only 100 Iriomote cats or more left, so the government of Japan attaches great importance to the conservation of Iriomote cats. Taiwanese leopard cats are the mascot of 2018 Taichung World Flora Exhibition. Referring to the successful case in Japan, the Agriculture Bureau is planned the event in Okinawa that facilitates the friendship between Iriomote cats and Taiwanese leopard cats in cooperation with related agencies. The Agriculture Bureau entered into the MOU concerning the conservation of leopard cats with the Alliance in the hope of promoting the educational significance of animal protection and international participation in the flora exhibition.

Located at the south of Okinawa Prefecture with the area of 20 square kilometers, Wafutei Kyozuka City has a population of 114,511, following Naha, Okinawa and Uruma. It is adjacent to Naha where the government of Okinawa Prefecture is located. Industry and business prosper in Wafutei Kyozuka City, and the headquarters of Okinawa Electric Power Company is based here as well. The Alliance was established on August 8, 2017 and composed of 17 members, including President Shimajiri Tadaaki. In addition to visiting Taichung City Government and Chiayi City Government, the Alliance also made local exchange with Ministry of Foreign Affairs.