Secretariat, Taipei City Government

On August 18, the overseas training delegation of the Youth Division of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party visited Taipei City Hall. Led by Director Yasutaka Nakasone, the delegation of more than 60 members held a discussion with Mayor Wan-An Chiang. Both parties exchanged experiences on topics such as declining birthrates, aging populations, and the participation of young people in public affairs, demonstrating the determination of Taiwanese and Japanese young people to jointly confront generational challenges.

Mayor Chiang noted that this was his fifth time receiving a delegation from the Youth Division of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party since taking office, and his second time meeting with the overseas training delegation since last summer, underscoring the increasingly close bilateral exchanges between his administration and the Youth Division. During the meeting, the delegation members enthusiastically asked about Taipei City’s strategies for addressing low birthrates and its aging population, as well as how the city encourages young people to participate in public affairs.

Regarding the challenge of declining birthrates, Mayor Chiang explained that the city government has promoted policies such as the “Good Pregnancy Shuttle,” “Milk for Every Class,” “Women and Children Specialty Hospitals,” and “Happy Housing” to assist younger generations with childcare and housing and gradually increase the city’s birthrate. Simultaneously, the city government has adopted a policy of “intergenerational inclusion,” promoting specialized sports centers in each administrative district and creating a more comprehensive health-care environment for older individuals.

Mayor Chiang also noted that the city government encourages young people to engage in public affairs and increases their involvement in policymaking through the Department for Youth and a participatory budgeting mechanism. In terms of education, Taipei City also promotes science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics courses and trilingual education (mother tongue, a second language, and a programming language) to inspire students’ interest in science and technology and conform to international development trends.

Director Nakasone observed that Japanese young people face rising prices and challenges associated with parenting. He expressed hope that through this visit, they could learn from Taipei City’s policy experience. He also remarked that the opportunity to exchange ideas with Mayor Chiang, who belongs to the younger generation himself, was deeply inspiring for the members of the delegation.

After the meeting, Mayor Chiang presented Director Nakasone—a Yomiuri Giants fan—with a “Yomiuri Giants × CTBC Brothers” T-shirt as a special gift. Mayor Chiang explained that this commemorative item was a limited-edition product launched in collaboration with the CTBC Brothers during the Yomiuri Giants’ 90th anniversary celebratory game at the Taipei Dome. The word “Brother” printed on the T-shirt symbolizes the friendship between the two parties and signifies the lasting friendship between Taiwan and Japan.

The city government noted that this exchange deepened dialogue between Taiwanese and Japanese young people on public policy, education, and social concerns and reflected their enduring friendship. Looking ahead, both parties will continue to promote bilateral cooperation and jointly seek solutions to generational challenges.