By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, compiled and reported by Chen Guanxin
Another heartwarming story of friendship between Taiwan and Japan！ To express gratitude for the care and assistance provided by various sectors in Taiwan during the 311 Great East Japan Earthquake, and to encourage more Japanese people to pay attention to Taiwan, the Japanese civil group “Taiwan Support Group,” chaired by Emeritus Professor Motoichi Goto of Waseda University and advised by former Chairman of the Taiwan Association Shigeyuki Saito, has designed an exclusive mascot for Taiwan—“Taiwander”—to promote the island’s tourism, cuisine, and culture, and to boost its global recognition.
The exclusive mascot “Taiwander” designed for Taiwan by the Japanese civil group “Taiwan Support Group.” (Image source / from 台湾を_茉?工牖岱鬯客牛┘/)
The adorable mascot “Taiwander,” shaped like the island of Taiwan, is adorned with a headpiece featuring Taiwan’s famous exports such as bananas, coconut trees, and Phalaenopsis orchids. It is expected to appear at various Taiwan-Japan exchange events including trade shows, sports, and cultural activities. To promote “Taiwander,” the Taiwan Support Group specially invited renowned Japanese theme song composer Kenhta Ehara to write and compose a theme song tailored for “Taiwander” titled “Taiwander of the Southern Island.” In addition, the group also created two companions for “Taiwander”—the Taiwan blue magpie, a bird species endemic to Taiwan, and the purple crow butterfly—and introduced their characteristics on the official website.
The cute “Taiwander” has its left foot representing the southernmost tip of the country—the Hengchun Peninsula. (Image source / from 台湾を_茉?工牖岱鬯客牛┘/)
The official website provides detailed information about the mascot “Taiwander,” including its height of 205 cm, weight listed as “dieting,” a friendly and kind personality, and the special skill of drinking a bubble tea in one go. There are also related comics featuring “Taiwander” available for viewing. Additionally, the site has a dedicated page introducing Taiwan’s geography, climate, history, culture, and transportation. For those who wish to see “Taiwander” in person soon, you can make your dream come true by visiting the “2014 World Orchid Exhibition” at Tokyo Dome on February 15.
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www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=9594
“Taiwander’s” good friends: the Taiwan blue magpie and the purple crow butterfly. (Image source / from 台湾を_茉?工牖岱鬯客牛┘/)