Governor Takashi Kimura of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, led a delegation to Kaohsiung for the first time since taking office. Arriving on the 24th via a nonstop Kumamoto-Kaohsiung flight, which resumed in early February, Governor Kimura immediately met with Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai. The mascots of Kaohsiung and Kumamoto - Kaohsiung Bear and Kumamon, often referred to as "brothers," also celebrated together after a long absence, embracing each other, filling the atmosphere with joy. Mayor Chen expressed his delight at resuming direct flights between Kaohsiung and Kumamoto, noting that flights from Kaohsiung to Kumamoto are often fully booked. He expressed confidence that the resumption of flights would facilitate faster and smoother bilateral exchanges in tourism, education, and industry.
To welcome Governor Kimura's first visit to Kaohsiung, the two mascots, Kaohsiung Bear and Kumamon, known as brothers, made a special appearance to greet the guests. The two bears' playful interactions made Governor Kimura and his entourage laugh repeatedly. Mayor Chen Chi-mai stated that the friendship between Kaohsiung and Kumamoto is like the brotherhood between Kaohsiung Bear and Kumamon. In the past, whether it was earthquakes or typhoons, Kaohsiung and Kumamoto were always the first to extend condolences and mutual assistance. Mayor Chen also recalled his visit to Kumamoto two years ago. Kumamoto Mayor Kazufumi Onishi specially accompanied him on a tour of the Kumamoto Castle and its keep. Mayor Chen jokingly said that he ran into more Taiwanese than Japanese people in Kumamoto, and that Mount Aso is also a beautiful sight worth visiting. Now that flights between the two places have resumed, tourism opportunities have also increased. Mayor Chen hopes to revisit Kumamoto soon.
Governor Kimura expressed the immense convenience of taking a direct flight from Kumamoto to Kaohsiung during his first visit to the harbor city. The COVID-19 pandemic had halted direct flights. Now, with the resumption of flights, he had finally fulfilled his wish to visit Kaohsiung. The resumption of direct flights not only promotes exchanges between Kumamoto and Kaohsiung but also accelerates interactions between Kumamoto and Taiwan. Governor Kimura mentioned that with TSMC's presence in Kumamoto, he expressed his hope for future bilateral exchanges regarding professionals in related fields and for learning from Taiwan's successful experience in promoting science parks. Governor Kimura also highlighted Kumamoto Prefecture's participation in the "Sunshine Island Vibe Fest" concluded last weekend, which received a enthusiastic response from the public. He hoped direct flights between the two regions would further promote cultural exchange.
Mayor Chen responded that he believes TSMC's investment in the two locations will enable both sides to develop closer cross-border industry-academia cooperation, jointly build a mutually supportive supply chain environment for the Taiwanese and Japanese semiconductor industries and facilitate collaborative cooperation in the high-tech industry chain, while accelerating the promotion of the economic and strategic partnership between Kaohsiung and Kumamoto.