On July 6, the Education Department and the Department of International Development and Planning of the Taitung County Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friendly Exchange and Cooperation with Tara Town in Saga Prefecture, Japan. Tara Town Mayor Takahiro Nagafuchi led a 12-member delegation to Taitung to witness the signing, while Taimali Township Mayor Chung-jen Wang also attended the ceremony. Building on their existing ties, both sides will continue to deepen cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and local development.
The friendship began through a shared place name. Tara Town is home to Tara Station, which uses the same Chinese characters as Duoliang in Taitung County. This connection became the starting point for exchanges between the two places. Since 2023, delegations from Tara Town have visited Taitung three times. During the 2025 academic year, schools including Fushan Elementary School and Feng Tian Junior High School in Taitung continued to engage with schools in Tara Town through in-person visits and online exchanges. Students shared local festivals, food, attractions, and music, gradually building friendships across borders. The Taimali Township Office has also made a return visit to Tara Town, further strengthening relations between the two communities.
The signing ceremony marked Mayor Nagafuchi’s fourth visit to Taitung with a delegation. Members included Hiroshi Hideshima, chairman of the local commerce and industry association; Shingo Kawashima, chairman of the tourism association; Kazuhiro Sakaguchi, head of the local accommodation association; and Tara Town Assembly Member Ruiko Machinaga. During their two-day, one-night stay in Taitung, the delegation will not only take part in the signing ceremony but also visit a series of exhibitions and events at Taitung Expo 2026, gaining a deeper understanding of Taitung’s diverse character and cultural heritage.
Mei-yao Tsai, Director of the Education Department, said that joint lesson planning, video exchanges, and handmade card exchanges between schools have created opportunities for students to take part in international dialogue. These activities not only broaden their global outlook but also help them better understand and identify with their own communities as they introduce their hometown culture to others.
Su-chin Lee, Director of the Department of International Development and Planning, noted that Taitung’s slow economy policy has continued to attract young people returning home as well as those relocating to Taitung. This has also created more opportunities for international cooperation. This year, Return Mountain Design will bring its Designer Nomad Program to Tara Town, further expanding exchanges between the two places. She expressed hope that the partnership will continue to grow through future cooperation in culture, tourism, and industry.
Mayor Takahiro Nagafuchi said that he was deeply moved by Taitung’s natural scenery and cultural character during his first visit, which inspired him to build a lasting friendship between the two communities. The signing of the memorandum marks a new milestone in their relationship. Looking ahead, both sides will continue to strengthen cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and industry, allowing the friendship that began through the name “Tara” to continue for years to come.
