Exile’s AKIRA Visits Paper Pandas to Express Gratitude for Taiwan’s Aid to Japan

▲ Exile’s AKIRA visited the National Theater & Concert Hall Plaza on March 20 to see the 1600 Pandas World Tour. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism, the same applies below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The “1600 Pandas World Tour – Taipei” public art exhibition, currently on display at the National Theater & Concert Hall Plaza, has created a black-and-white bear craze since its opening. On March 20, popular Japanese group Exile’s member AKIRA visited the plaza to experience the charm of the paper pandas and paper Formosan black bears up close.

AKIRA has publicly expressed his love for Formosan black bears. The Taipei leg of the “1600 Pandas World Tour” features not only paper pandas but also 200 paper Formosan black bears, which made AKIRA very happy.

AKIRA expressed deep gratitude for Taiwan’s assistance to Japan following the 311 earthquake and specially presented a thank-you poster.

AKIRA said that during his visit to Taipei to film, he explored places such as Treasure Hill and the Film Park, discovering that Taipei has its own unique urban character and warm, kind-hearted residents, making it a vibrant city. Every time he visits Taiwan, he always enjoys his favorite spicy hot pot and spicy duck blood.

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin also presented AKIRA with handmade paper-carved black bears and pandas, hoping he would encourage more Japanese friends to visit Taipei. In return, AKIRA gave the mayor a “Thank You Taiwan” poster and a specially made T-shirt featuring the flags of both countries. AKIRA said he is grateful for Taiwan’s aid following the 311 earthquake in Japan and deeply values the friendship between Taiwan and Japan.