Today (on the 30), the Nagoya City Government in Japan announced the appointment of Shukumin Nishikawa (birth name: Lin Shu-min), Director of the Taiwan Branch of Nishikawa-ryu style of classical Japanese odori (dance), as the "Special Envoy for Nagoya Tourism and Cultural Exchange". The Tourism and Travel Bureau of the Taichung City Government expressed gratitude to Nishikawa for her selfless dedication to the development of Taiwan-Japan relations over the years. Her accomplishments have not only been recognized by the Taichung City Government and the Nagoya City Government, but also brought Taichung's tourism onto the international stage. It is hoped that her appointment as a special envoy will foster exchanges and cooperation between the two cities and promote the beauty of Taichung's tourism and arts to the world.

Director of the Tourism and Travel Bureau Chen Mei-hsiu stated that "Nishikawa-style Japanese traditional dance" is the oldest and most prestigious classical Japanese odori in Japan, with a history of over 300 years. Shukumin Nishikawa is the first person in Taiwan to obtain an "Instructor License for Nishikawa-ryu Style of Classical Japanese Odori" and serve as the Director of the Taiwan Branch of Nishikawa-ryu style of classical Japanese odori. She also serves as a long-term advisor to the Taichung City Government's Central Taiwan Tourism Promotion Committee and as an executive board member of the Taichung Dance Art Promotion Association. In 2017, she further established the first aesthetic brand that merges Japan’s traditional arts and Taiwan’s contemporary culture, named "Odori Tomoie", aiming to promote the integration of local culture and Japan’s traditional arts.

Director Chen explained that, upon the signing of the "Tourism Friendly City Exchange Agreement" between Taichung and Nagoya in 2019, both cities have actively promoted tourism and cultural exchanges. For example, jointly hold the "Taichung Night Market in Nagoya" or invite the other to participate in related events. Nishikawa Shukumin, who was born and raised in Taichung, adheres to the concept of "drawing inspiration from Nishikawa-ryu style of classical Japanese odori and finding emotional belonging in Taiwanese culture". She has long assisted the city government in promoting cultural and tourism events; and actively participated in important events, such as the Taichung International Dance Carnival, Taichung Hot Spring Festival, and the 2020 Taiwan Lantern Festival. Through diverse art performances, visitors can experience the unique cultural charm and allure of Taichung City.

Nishikawa Shukumin expressed the honor of being appointed as the Special Envoy for Tourism and Cultural Exchange in Nagoya. This recognition not only acknowledges her personal achievements, but also represents the profound and creative cultural traits between Taichung and Nagoya. In the future, she will continue to enrich the land of Taiwan with arts, dance, and culture; and, by combining the century-old arts of Nishikawa and Taichung’s local culture, create a diverse artistic experience that embodies "elegance, health, and happiness", allowing more people to discover and appreciate the charm of Taichung.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau stated that Taichung hosts various dance and tourism festivals, including the "Taichung International Dance Carnival" and the "Muguet Street", between September and October each year. These events, organized by the city government and private entities, feature grand costume parades, local cultural and creative markets, and performances of various art groups. All people are welcome to join us and have fun. For detailed information, please go to the Fanpage of “Play in Taichung” (https://www.facebook.com/taichungresort/?locale=en), Taichung Tourism and Travel website (https://travel.taichung.gov.tw/), or Fanpage of Nishikawa-ryu Style of Classical Japanese Odori (https://www.facebook.com/Odoritomoie/?locale=en).