Japan Prefecture's Sister-County Proposal to Taiwan Allegedly Ignored

A political observer has alleged that Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan proposed a sister-prefecture relationship with Taiwan's Yilan County, but the proposal was allegedly ignored by Yilan County Magistrate Lin Tzu-miao. The claim suggests a missed opportunity for diplomatic and cultural exchange.

Lin Kuo-chang, a candidate for the Yilan County magistrate position, brought attention to the historical ties between the two regions. He pointed out that the first magistrate of Yilan during the Japanese colonial era, Saigo Kikujiro, hailed from Kagoshima. Lin emphasized that this century-old connection provides a strong foundation for establishing a sister-prefecture relationship.

Lin further elaborated on the deep-rooted connection, noting that Saigo Kikujiro's grandson, Mr. Takafumi Saigo, is a member of the Kagoshima Rotary Club, and Lin himself is a member of the Yilan Rotary Club. This connection has fostered close ties through Rotary networks, including a 'Satsuma-yaki' pottery exhibition in Yilan hosted by Mr. Saigo, demonstrating tangible cultural exchange beyond historical memory.

In response to the allegations, the Yilan County government issued a statement denying any knowledge of such a proposal. They clarified that they have not received any official documents or information from Kagoshima regarding the establishment of a sister-prefecture relationship, and therefore cannot confirm the situation. Lin Kuo-chang, however, stressed the importance of proactive international engagement, vowing to strengthen Yilan's global exchanges and promote its rich cultural heritage worldwide if elected.