Hirado Mayor Visits Central News Agency, Hopes to Promote Japan-Taiwan Exchange Through Koxinga Connection
The Mayor of Hirado, Japan, visited the Central News Agency, expressing hope to promote tourism and cultural exchange between Japan and Taiwan, leveraging the historical connection with Koxinga. A friendship agreement with Tainan City and student exchanges were also highlighted.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 19:41
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 20:01 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 23:39 (3h 37m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yang Yao-ru, Taipei, 27th) Hirado City in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, is the birthplace of Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong). Mayor Yuji Matsuo stated today during his visit to the Central News Agency that his current trip to Taiwan is to participate in Koxinga-related activities, thereby promoting tourism and cultural exchange between the two regions, strengthening bilateral friendship, and hoping to let more Taiwanese people know about Hirado City.
The Hirado City delegation is on a six-day, five-night itinerary in Taiwan. Mayor Yuji Matsuo, Director of Culture, Tourism, Commerce and Industry Mineo Masahiro, and Section Chief of Culture and Tourism Exchange Matsuo Keihito visited the Central News Agency today and were personally received by CNA President Hu Wan-ling.
Yuji Matsuo, who comes from a political staff background, began working in a parliamentary office in 1998 and served as secretary and policy secretary to Japanese Senator Hidenori Ohtsuji. He was elected Mayor of Hirado last October.
This is Yuji Matsuo's first visit to Taiwan. He stated that the main purpose is to participate in the Koxinga celebration activities held in Tainan and to promote tourism and cultural exchange between the two regions, strengthening bilateral friendship. Tomorrow, he will travel south to meet with Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che and Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan.
Hu Wan-ling jokingly remarked that Yuji Matsuo somewhat resembles Koxinga's portrait. In response, Yuji Matsuo pointed out that Koxinga's mother and his mother are both from Hirado City, so there might be a connection, and he feels honored to resemble an East Asian hero.
According to information provided by Hirado City, Hirado City has specially planned the "Birthplace of East Asian Hero Koxinga" attraction, which includes the Koxinga Memorial Hall, a branch temple, Koxinga's Birth Stone, statues, and a museum, demonstrating the local importance placed on Koxinga.
Hirado City preserves many precious World Cultural Heritage sites, including churches and settlements left by the Portuguese 450 years ago. Mineo Masahiro specifically mentioned that Hirado Castle is not listed as a cultural heritage site, thus it can offer "Castle stay" services. The area also boasts famous delicacies such as seafood and Hirado beef.
Matsuo Keihito, who also serves as a sumo referee, shared that Hirado City and Tainan City have frequent exchanges. This year, elementary and junior high school students from Hirado City will visit Tainan for exchanges, while last year, children from Tainan came to Hirado City for sports exchanges, including sumo.
Hu Wan-ling stated that Hirado City and Tainan City have a good friendship, and she hopes the delegation can use this opportunity to promote exchanges in various fields with the Taiwanese people, and also wishes the delegation an enjoyable trip in Taiwan, suggesting they visit eastern Taiwan next time.
Hirado City officially signed a "Friendship Exchange Agreement" with Tainan City in April 2024, based on the historical connection with Koxinga. Former Mayor Naruhiko Kuroda visited Taiwan and the Central News Agency for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun) 1150427
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(Central News Agency reporter Yang Yao-ru, Taipei, 27th) Hirado City in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, is the birthplace of Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong). Mayor Yuji Matsuo stated today during his visit to the Central News Agency that his current trip to Taiwan is to participate in Koxinga-related activities, thereby promoting tourism and cultural exchange between the two regions, strengthening bilateral friendship, and hoping to let more Taiwanese people know about Hirado City.
The Hirado City delegation is on a six-day, five-night itinerary in Taiwan. Mayor Yuji Matsuo, Director of Culture, Tourism, Commerce and Industry Mineo Masahiro, and Section Chief of Culture and Tourism Exchange Matsuo Keihito visited the Central News Agency today and were personally received by CNA President Hu Wan-ling.
Yuji Matsuo, who comes from a political staff background, began working in a parliamentary office in 1998 and served as secretary and policy secretary to Japanese Senator Hidenori Ohtsuji. He was elected Mayor of Hirado last October.
This is Yuji Matsuo's first visit to Taiwan. He stated that the main purpose is to participate in the Koxinga celebration activities held in Tainan and to promote tourism and cultural exchange between the two regions, strengthening bilateral friendship. Tomorrow, he will travel south to meet with Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che and Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan.
Hu Wan-ling jokingly remarked that Yuji Matsuo somewhat resembles Koxinga's portrait. In response, Yuji Matsuo pointed out that Koxinga's mother and his mother are both from Hirado City, so there might be a connection, and he feels honored to resemble an East Asian hero.
According to information provided by Hirado City, Hirado City has specially planned the "Birthplace of East Asian Hero Koxinga" attraction, which includes the Koxinga Memorial Hall, a branch temple, Koxinga's Birth Stone, statues, and a museum, demonstrating the local importance placed on Koxinga.
Hirado City preserves many precious World Cultural Heritage sites, including churches and settlements left by the Portuguese 450 years ago. Mineo Masahiro specifically mentioned that Hirado Castle is not listed as a cultural heritage site, thus it can offer "Castle stay" services. The area also boasts famous delicacies such as seafood and Hirado beef.
Matsuo Keihito, who also serves as a sumo referee, shared that Hirado City and Tainan City have frequent exchanges. This year, elementary and junior high school students from Hirado City will visit Tainan for exchanges, while last year, children from Tainan came to Hirado City for sports exchanges, including sumo.
Hu Wan-ling stated that Hirado City and Tainan City have a good friendship, and she hopes the delegation can use this opportunity to promote exchanges in various fields with the Taiwanese people, and also wishes the delegation an enjoyable trip in Taiwan, suggesting they visit eastern Taiwan next time.
Hirado City officially signed a "Friendship Exchange Agreement" with Tainan City in April 2024, based on the historical connection with Koxinga. Former Mayor Naruhiko Kuroda visited Taiwan and the Central News Agency for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun) 1150427
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.