Today (12th), Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen and Governor Shunji Kōno of Japan’s Miyazaki Prefecture signed an agreement establishing sister-city ties, marking Miyazaki as Taichung’s first sister city in Japan and its 43rd globally. Mayor Lu thanked Governor Kōno and Speaker Hamasuna for leading a significant delegation of over 40 members, including more than 10 council members and business representatives, to Taichung. The Taichung City Government also invited leaders from various sectors, including the city council’s speaker, deputy speaker, council members, and legislators, to join the exchange. This demonstrates the strong consensus and support from both governments and their citizens for promoting friendly exchanges between the two regions. Looking ahead, Mayor Lu anticipates collaborative efforts to enhance tourism, industry, culture and arts, education, and sports, aiming to achieve greater prosperity for both cities.

Mayor Lu noted that the friendship between Taiwan and Japan is profound, and the ties between Taichung and Japan are exceptionally close and amicable. Currently, Taichung has formed partnerships with eight friendship cities and one tourism friendship city in Japan. Its bond with Miyazaki has been longstanding, marked by collaborative efforts from both the public and private sectors. Last November, the two regions formalized ties between their “Nichinan Stations” as sister stations. The signing of the sister city agreement today takes this relationship to the next level, establishing Miyazaki as Taichung's first sister city in Japan—a milestone of great significance.

Mayor Lu emphasized the abundant cultural and tourism resources shared by Taichung and Miyazaki, expressing optimism for enhanced collaboration and exchange in tourism, economy, culture, and education. She particularly noted that Miyazaki Prefecture is a renowned location for professional baseball spring training in Japan, hosting teams such as the Samurai Japan national team for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and the famous Yomiuri Giants for regular training sessions. Taichung, celebrated as Taiwan’s “Baseball Capital,” boasts the international-level Intercontinental Baseball Stadium and has hosted significant international events such as last year’s WBC games. Given the shared love of baseball among Taiwanese and Japanese people, this year’s WBSC Premier12 games have garnered lively discussions in both countries. Mayor Lu looks forward to fostering deeper sports exchanges, particularly in baseball.

During the signing ceremony, the cute mascots Mu-chan and the Love & Life Family Club delighted attendees with an energetic dance performance. Mayor Lu playfully suggested that the two mascots—Mu-chan and Love—could refer to each other as “sisters” moving forward, representing the strong bond of friendship between the sister cities.

Director Hsieh Chia-chen of the Secretariat highlighted Taichung City’s proactive efforts in city diplomacy and global engagement. Since Mayor Lu took office, Taichung has formed sister city relationships with Guam in the U.S., Nagoya in Japan, and Melekeok State in Palau. Following today’s sister city agreement with Miyazaki Prefecture, Taichung now boasts 29 sister cities, 13 friendship cities, and 1 tourism friendship city spanning 14 countries.

According to the Secretariat, the signing ceremony was presided over by Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen and Miyazaki Prefecture Governor Shunji Kōno. In addition to Governor Kōno, the Miyazaki delegation included Assembly Speaker Mamoru Hamada, Chairman Yujiro Maruyama of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Alliance, Chairman Toru Hoshihara of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Promotion Association, Chairman Mitsunori Mera of the Miyazaki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Director Kiyoshi Kuroki of the Comprehensive Policy Division, and Director Kawakita Masafumi of Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Labor Division, which comprised 42 representatives from the prefectural government and assembly.

The Taichung team included legislators Yang Chiung-ying and Wang Yu-min, City Council Speaker Chang Ching-chao, Deputy Speaker Yen Li-min, council members Liu Shih-chou and Huang Shou-ta, Director Weng Ying-min of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Central Taiwan Office, Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-jung, International Affairs Committee Executive Director Linghu Rong-da and member Hsieh Ming-ta, Director Hsieh Chia-chen of the Secretariat, Civil Affairs Bureau Director Wu Shih-wei, Economic Development Bureau Director Chang Feng-yuan, Construction Bureau Director Chen Ta-tien, Tourism and Travel Bureau Director Chen Mei-hsiu, Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Chen Chia-chun, Information Bureau Director Luan Chih-i, Sports Bureau Acting Director Yu Chih-hsiang, Education Bureau Director Chiang Wei-min, Vice President Chiang Chi-chen of the Legislative Yuan, legislator Huang Jen, and city council members Chang Fen-yu, Wu Chen-chia, Chiu Ai-shan, and Chen Wen-cheng were represented at the event.