Bruce Chen (Chen Ming-jun) recently took up the post of director of the Media Division of the Fukuoka Branch, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Osaka. On October 4, he visited Buzen City Hall and Council. Chen hopes that friendly exchange between Taiwan and Japan can begin from Buzen and then expand throughout Honshu and across Japan.

Buzen City Hall and Council have long had friendly relations with Taiwan and delegations have visited the Fukuoka Branch on many occasions. In July and August respectively, Buzen signed a cooperation agreement with the Fukuoka Branch and an MOU with Taiwan’s Association of Private Universities and Colleges of Technology. Buzen City was also the first city in Kyushu to express support for Taiwan’s WHO participation.

Afterwards, Bruce Chen and his group visited Buzen Council to witness the establishment of the Buzen-Taiwan Friendly Councilor Alliance. Its President Gunjigake Yachiyo said he hopes that the Alliance will facilitate increased economic, cultural, tourism, education, youth, and other exchanges, between Buzen City and Taiwan.

The establishment of the Taiwan Friendly Councilor Alliance by Buzen is a strong message to Taiwan’s diplomats as well as extremely strong expression of support and is very moving. It is hoped that, starting from Buzen, Taiwan and Japan can build an even closer family-type relationship.