DEP. DIR-GEN of Tokushima Prefectural Gov. Visits HL to Promote City Friendship

The Hualien County Government continues to deepen city-level exchanges with Tokushima Prefecture in Japan. Today (19th), Mr. Shiro Ooka, Deputy Director-General of the Governor's Strategic Bureau of Tokushima Prefectural Government, paid a courtesy visit to the Hualien County Government and delivered a letter of friendship on behalf of Tokushima. Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei personally received the delegation. With a profound historical connection between Tokushima City and Ji'an Township of Hualien, the two sides have established a sister-city relationship, building a bridge of friendship and promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

During the Japanese colonial period, Ji'an Township in Hualien was formerly known as "Yoshino" and was Japan’s first and largest government-run immigrant village. Many Japanese immigrants from Shikoku settled in Ji'an to start families and careers. After Taiwan’s retrocession, many Japanese born in Taiwan (known as Wansei) became bridges of friendship between Japan and Taiwan. This shared heritage has enabled continuous exchange between Tokushima City and Ji'an Township.

Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei expressed a warm welcome to Mr. Shiro Ooka and highlighted the importance of cultural and artistic exchanges between the two regions. She emphasized that the visit strengthens the bridge of friendship between Japan and Hualien, opening a new chapter of cooperation and mutual development for a better future.

Distinguished guests attending the event included Mr. Tsuyoshi Mizobuchi, President of the Hualien Japanese Association, and Ms. Yuki Kawamoto, interpreter for the Association. The meeting was filled with warmth and enthusiasm, reflecting the shared vision of fostering deeper friendship and exchanges between the two regions.