Beigang Mazu travels east to Japan, Li Yi-yang hopes to deepen Taiwan-Japan cultural exchange
Taiwan's Beigang Chaotian Temple Mazu visited Japan, commencing a large-scale religious and cultural exchange event titled "Holy Mother of Heaven's First Eastern Voyage to Japan." Approximately 170 devotees accompanied the delegation, and Representative Li Yi-yang expressed hopes for deepening private exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.
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- 📰 Published: May 10, 2026 at 18:46
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 10th) Beigang Chaotian Temple Mazu arrived in Tokyo, Japan today, commencing its overseas religious and cultural exchange journey titled "Holy Mother of Heaven's First Eastern Voyage to Japan." Approximately 170 devotees accompanied the delegation to Japan, marking the Chaotian Temple's first large-scale overseas religious exchange event.
Representative to Japan Li Yi-yang, Director Wang Shao-xun of the Taiwan Tourism Association Tokyo Office, Chairman Zhan De-xun of Tokyo Mazu Temple, and dozens of overseas Chinese welcomed the holy procession at Narita Airport.
Li Yi-yang stated in his speech that Japan is the first stop of this overseas trip, which holds special significance. Mazu belief holds an important position in Taiwanese society, not only as a religious faith but also symbolizing the cultural spirit of stability and mutual care, deeply rooted in civil society for many years. He pointed out that in addition to religious exchange, this trip also hopes to introduce Taiwanese religious culture into Japanese society in a more natural way, further promoting mutual understanding and exchange between Taiwan and Japan.
Li Yi-yang stated that Mazu will next visit Ibaraki Ushiku Daibutsu, Gunma Fo Guang Shan Fa Shui Temple, and Tokyo Mazu Temple for exchange, hoping to accumulate deeper results of Taiwan-Japan exchange through民間interactions.
Legislator Tsai Chun-chou of the Taiwan People's Party, who accompanied the first voyage, stated that she continues to promote the internationalization of Mazu culture in the Legislative Yuan, hoping to let the world see Taiwan through cultural diplomacy. "Cultural diplomacy has two engines: one is the National Palace Museum culture, and the other is Mazu culture."
Tsai Chun-chou stated that she hopes Mazu culture can connect with the international community and convey a spirit of peace, and also hopes to use this event to promote two-way exchange, attracting more Japanese people to visit Taiwan and personally experience Mazu culture and Taiwan's unique religious characteristics.
Chairman Tsai Yong-de of Beigang Chaotian Temple introduced that Prince Tai Zi of Xinying Tai Zi Temple also accompanied the delegation to Japan this time. He stated that Prince Tai Zi is Mazu's "vanguard official" at Beigang Chaotian Temple, and according to folk religious customs, when Mazu goes out, Prince Tai Zi must go ahead to welcome her. Therefore, this joint arrangement was specially made, hoping to help Japanese people better understand the cultural connotations of Taiwanese religion.
Tsai Yong-de said that this is not just a religious and cultural exchange, but also hopes to drive two-way tourism and economic exchange, enhancing mutual understanding. He also mentioned that the day before coincided with Mazu's birthday, and today is Mother's Day, so he specially wished all mothers "Happy Mother's Day."
Chairman Zhan De-xun of Tokyo Mazu Temple stated that Tokyo Mazu Temple has a deep connection with Mazu belief, having promoted Mazu culture in Japan for 40 years. Tokyo Mazu Temple has been completed for 13 years. He described Beigang Chaotian Temple Mazu's visit to Japan this time as "mother coming back to see her child," which holds great significance for Taiwanese living in Japan.
Zhan De-xun also invited the public to visit Tokyo Mazu Temple during the event and thanked Beigang Chaotian Temple and the approximately 170 fellow villagers for traveling so far, hoping to continue the friendship and缘分 through this exchange. (Edited by Tian Rui-hua) 1150510
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(Central News Agency reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 10th) Beigang Chaotian Temple Mazu arrived in Tokyo, Japan today, commencing its overseas religious and cultural exchange journey titled "Holy Mother of Heaven's First Eastern Voyage to Japan." Approximately 170 devotees accompanied the delegation to Japan, marking the Chaotian Temple's first large-scale overseas religious exchange event.
Representative to Japan Li Yi-yang, Director Wang Shao-xun of the Taiwan Tourism Association Tokyo Office, Chairman Zhan De-xun of Tokyo Mazu Temple, and dozens of overseas Chinese welcomed the holy procession at Narita Airport.
Li Yi-yang stated in his speech that Japan is the first stop of this overseas trip, which holds special significance. Mazu belief holds an important position in Taiwanese society, not only as a religious faith but also symbolizing the cultural spirit of stability and mutual care, deeply rooted in civil society for many years. He pointed out that in addition to religious exchange, this trip also hopes to introduce Taiwanese religious culture into Japanese society in a more natural way, further promoting mutual understanding and exchange between Taiwan and Japan.
Li Yi-yang stated that Mazu will next visit Ibaraki Ushiku Daibutsu, Gunma Fo Guang Shan Fa Shui Temple, and Tokyo Mazu Temple for exchange, hoping to accumulate deeper results of Taiwan-Japan exchange through民間interactions.
Legislator Tsai Chun-chou of the Taiwan People's Party, who accompanied the first voyage, stated that she continues to promote the internationalization of Mazu culture in the Legislative Yuan, hoping to let the world see Taiwan through cultural diplomacy. "Cultural diplomacy has two engines: one is the National Palace Museum culture, and the other is Mazu culture."
Tsai Chun-chou stated that she hopes Mazu culture can connect with the international community and convey a spirit of peace, and also hopes to use this event to promote two-way exchange, attracting more Japanese people to visit Taiwan and personally experience Mazu culture and Taiwan's unique religious characteristics.
Chairman Tsai Yong-de of Beigang Chaotian Temple introduced that Prince Tai Zi of Xinying Tai Zi Temple also accompanied the delegation to Japan this time. He stated that Prince Tai Zi is Mazu's "vanguard official" at Beigang Chaotian Temple, and according to folk religious customs, when Mazu goes out, Prince Tai Zi must go ahead to welcome her. Therefore, this joint arrangement was specially made, hoping to help Japanese people better understand the cultural connotations of Taiwanese religion.
Tsai Yong-de said that this is not just a religious and cultural exchange, but also hopes to drive two-way tourism and economic exchange, enhancing mutual understanding. He also mentioned that the day before coincided with Mazu's birthday, and today is Mother's Day, so he specially wished all mothers "Happy Mother's Day."
Chairman Zhan De-xun of Tokyo Mazu Temple stated that Tokyo Mazu Temple has a deep connection with Mazu belief, having promoted Mazu culture in Japan for 40 years. Tokyo Mazu Temple has been completed for 13 years. He described Beigang Chaotian Temple Mazu's visit to Japan this time as "mother coming back to see her child," which holds great significance for Taiwanese living in Japan.
Zhan De-xun also invited the public to visit Tokyo Mazu Temple during the event and thanked Beigang Chaotian Temple and the approximately 170 fellow villagers for traveling so far, hoping to continue the friendship and缘分 through this exchange. (Edited by Tian Rui-hua) 1150510
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.