To strengthen relations with Tokyo Olympics host towns, Huang Sheng-Ming, Secretary of the Education Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan (TECRO Japan) and six students from Taiwan visited Kasama City in Ibaraki Prefecture on October 24. The mayor of Kasama City, Shinju Yamaguchi and his staff welcomed them to the city office.  

In his welcoming remarks, Mayor Yamaguchi said many exchange activities between Taiwan and Japan had been planned but then had to cancelled or postponed, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. This was very regrettable but other exchange activities are still occurring between Taiwanese students in Japan and Kasama City. He hopes that these will let more Taiwanese people know more about Kasama City, and its enthusiasm to host and welcome Taiwan’s Olympic delegation. Speaking on behalf of Kasama’s citizens, he said his city would continue to support Taiwan–Japan exchange activities and the good relationship between Taiwan and Japan. 

Secretary Huang expressed his gratitude to Kasama City for its support of Taiwan’s sports and tourism exchange activities, especially its help with field training for the Taiwanese Golf Association. He also expressed hopes that everyone will stay safe and healthy while the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, and that the Tokyo Olympics will be able to be held smoothly next year.

Kasama City is very friendly to Taiwan. It has nine golf courses, and it can serve as a Tokyo Olympics host town and host golf players from Taiwan for training and exchanges. The Education Division will continue to cooperate with Kasama city to host sports people from Taiwan for the Tokyo Olympics next year.