The Okinawa Delegation Visits Taiwan, Encouraging Travelers to Visit with Confidence

By Chi Bing-hui / Compiled and Reported

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, tourist numbers across Japan have plummeted. Although nearly five months have passed, many people are still hesitant to visit Japan due to concerns over radiation and damage to tourist attractions. The “Ryukyu–China Friendship Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Members’ Alliance Goodwill Delegation,” formed by the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, visited Taiwan in August. During their four-day trip, they toured various government agencies and IT industry sites, emphasizing that Okinawa has not been affected by the earthquake at all and hoping the public can travel there with peace of mind.

Taiwan and Okinawa are geographically close and have built a long-standing history of friendly relations. In 1993, the “Ryukyu–China Friendship Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Members’ Alliance” was established and has visited Taiwan five times. Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Speaker Takamine Yoshinobu expressed deep admiration for Taiwan’s rapid development. He also noted that Okinawa’s agriculture has benefited greatly from the expertise of overseas Chinese who migrated to Okinawa, leading to improved techniques and increasingly vibrant economic exchanges.

Takamine said that during the Great East Japan Earthquake, Taiwan not only sent rescue teams and relief supplies but also donated over NT$6 billion (¥17 billion) in charitable funds, which deeply moved him. He expressed the deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Okinawa. He also pointed out that Okinawa is 2,000 kilometers away from the disaster zone, completely free from the radiation issues that people are worried about, making it a safe and reassuring destination for tourism. The region continues to make thorough preparations to welcome visitors.