Japan's Mito City names street 'Tainan Road' to honor Taiwanese sister city

Mito City in Japan has established a new landmark symbolizing the deepening friendship with its Taiwanese sister city, Tainan. A historically significant street in the city center has been officially named "Tainan Road" (Tainan Dori). The naming ceremony took place near the former residence of "Tiger General" Sugisaka Moho, a Japanese pilot who is deeply revered in Tainan.

The "Tainan Road" spans approximately 410 meters, connecting the Gokencho and Izumicho areas, and is situated close to important cultural facilities like the Mito Museum of Art and the Civic Hall. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che highlighted the significance of this gesture, noting that the road's placement near Sugisaka Moho's former home is not only a response to Tainan's friendship but also a testament to the evolving relationship from historical ties to active city exchanges.

This street naming follows Tainan's earlier gesture of naming a new road near the Tiger General's temple "Mito Street." The reciprocal naming of streets across the sea serves as a concrete symbol of the ongoing friendship between the two cities. The connection between Tainan and Mito originated with Sugisaka Moho, who was born in Mito and is honored by the residents of Tainan's Annan District.

Exchanges between Tainan and Mito have expanded beyond culture to include sports, education, and agriculture. Students from both cities engage in dodgeball competitions, and Mito's school lunch programs feature Tainan fruits like pineapples and mangoes. Goken Elementary School, Sugisaka Moho's alma mater in Mito, also participates in online exchanges with Tainan's Anqing Elementary School, fostering cultural understanding through activities like origami and food introductions. The story of Sugisaka Moho, who sacrificed his life during World War II by avoiding civilian areas, became the bridge for this unique cross-border relationship.