Secretariat, Taipei City Government

On the afternoon of February 21, Taipei City Mayor Wan-An Chiang met with President Seishiro Eto of the Japan–Taiwan Friendship Association and his delegation at Taipei City Hall. The two parties exchanged opinions on youth exchanges between Taiwan and Japan and strategies for mitigating urban–rural disparities.

Mayor Chiang began by welcoming the visiting delegation and expressing gratitude to President Eto and members of Nikka Giin Kondankai (Japan-R. O. C. Diet Members’ Consultative Council) for their warm hospitality during his visit to Japan in May of the previous year. He recalled that during a breakfast at the Club, President Eto shared his experience as a student in an exchange program at Tunghai University, reflecting President Eto’s deep affinity for Taiwan. Mayor Chiang further stated that since assuming office, he has been actively promoting exchanges between Taipei City and various Japanese cities. Because Taiwan and Japan uphold the universal values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, he expressed his confidence that bilateral exchanges across various sectors would become increasingly robust and seamless.

In response, President Eto conveyed his appreciation to Mayor Chiang for taking the time to meet with him despite his demanding schedule. President Eto remarked that it was an honor to reunite with Mayor Chiang at Taipei City Hall following their meeting in May of the previous year. He further noted that the Japan–Taiwan Friendship Association has long fostered exchanges with Taiwanese society that extend beyond the political sphere to involve interactions in the economic, social, cultural, artistic, and athletic domains. Additionally, the association has actively conveyed to Japanese society the value of Taiwan’s contributions to Japan in areas such as economic and trade relations. President Eto also underscored the importance of youth exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, expressing his hope that Mayor Chiang would continue to support such initiatives.

During the meeting, Mayor Chiang engaged in discussions with President Eto and members of the Council on strategies to address urban–rural disparities. Regarding the challenge of urban–rural inequality in Taiwan and Japan, Mayor Chiang emphasized the critical role of equitable resource allocation. He proposed three key approaches to reduce inequitable resource allocation: improving transportation infrastructure, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, and enhancing vocational education training. Improving transportation infrastructure can increase accessibility in rural areas, contributing to local employment opportunities and mitigating urban–rural disparities. Both parties also exchanged their perspectives on Japan’s current policies concerning children, youth exchange initiatives, and demographic challenges such as low birth rates and an aging population. Finally, they shared the strategies and practices implemented in each of their respective country to address these challenges.