From left to right: Deputy Secretary-general Chang Chi-chiang, Advisor Chen Mu-chuan, Advisor Li Wei-hsiang, Deputy Head Makoto Lin, Head of the Delegation Hsiao Yu-lan, Mayor Hou Yu-ih, Honorary Head Somitsu Shigeki, Ambassador John C.T. Feng, Advisor Lin Hsueh-ming, Deputy Head Yang Shu-chen, Deputy Secretary-general Ko Ching-chung, and Deputy Director-general Wang Ping-cheng of the Secretariat

On the morning of March 25, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih received a homecoming delegation from the Overseas Chinese Association in Japan, the Japanese Branch of Overseas Chinese Association, and the Tokyo Nakayama Society. The delegation, led by the Head of the Delegation Hsiao Yu-lan and Honorary Head of the Delegation Somitsu Shigeki, consisted of 30 overseas compatriots.
 
In his remarks, Mayor Hou mentioned that New Taipei City frequently collaborates with Japanese cities on tourism, disaster prevention and resilience, and educational and cultural exchanges. Mayor Hou also shared that he will be leading a delegation of the New Taipei City Government to Tokyo to observe the city's long-term care facilities and Tokyo Dome. Looking ahead, Mayor Hou emphasized that New Taipei City will not only host industrial and technology parks but also sports parks, which are becoming increasingly popular among younger generations, who are just as enthusiastic about attending sporting events as they are about going to the movies. The delegation expressed their sincere gratitude to Mayor Hou for the reception and invited him to visit Tokyo in the future.
 

Mayor Hou greets Honorary Head Somitsu Shigeki with a handshake.


Mayor Hou speaks with a member of the delegation

The delegation visiting New Taipei City consisted of 30 distinguished members of the overseas Chinese community in Japan, including the Head of the Delegation Hsiao Yu-lan, Honorary Head Somitsu Shigeki, Deputy Head Makoto Lin, Deputy Head Yang Shu-chen, Advisor Li Wei-hsiang, Advisor Lin Hsueh-ming, Advisor Chen Mu-chuan, Director-general Kuo Hui-li, Deputy Director-general Kung Ying-yu, Deputy Director-general Yen Hsiu-hui, and Overseas Community Affairs Council Advisor Chang Chun-mei. For the occasion, the New Taipei City Government invited former Ambassador to Japan John C.T. Feng to attend the reception. Mayor Hou was also joined in welcoming the delegation by Deputy Secretary-general Ko Ching-chung, Deputy Secretary-general Chang Chi-chiang, and Deputy Director-general Wang Ping-cheng of the Secretariat.


The homecoming delegation poses for a group photo