Targeting Taiwan's Railway Economy, JR East Says: Pro-Japan Atmosphere in Taiwan Attracts Investment
Although JR East was unsuccessful in its bid for the Taipei Main Station shopping complex, its desire to invest in Taiwan's "railway economy" remains high. An executive from the company stated that Taiwan's pro-Japanese atmosphere provides a sense of security and hope for investment.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 22:27
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Central News Agency
(CNA, Taipei, 14th, Reporter Chiang Ming-yen) The JR East Group previously joined the bidding for the Taipei Main Station shopping mall, and although it did not win, it still garnered market attention. Yoshiyuki Hamano, General Manager of JR East Taiwan Business Development, said today that they will pick themselves up and continue to target Taiwan's "railway economy." He also observed that Taiwan is very pro-Japan, with many tourists visiting Japan, and the whole atmosphere makes Japanese companies feel secure and hopeful, increasing their willingness to invest.
The result of the bidding for the management rights of the Taipei Main Station shopping mall was announced on April 28 this year, with Taiwan High Speed Rail announcing Shin Kong Mitsukoshi as the most preferential applicant. In addition to major domestic retail players competing for this project, the entry of Japanese railway operator JR East into the fray also received market attention.
Japanese bookstore TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE opened a store in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park today, holding an opening event where Kazuma Otsuka, Chairman of Taiwan Tsutaya, and Yoshiyuki Hamano, General Manager of JR East Taiwan Business Development, signed a business cooperation memorandum.
Hamano stated that Tsutaya has many malls in Japan and Taiwan, and its group company "atre" also has numerous commercial facilities in Japan. The current plan is to use the stores owned by both parties to exchange products and culture between Taiwan and Japan.
Regarding the loss in the Taipei Main Station shopping mall bid, Hamano admitted it was indeed disappointing. "We will pick ourselves up," he said, targeting the railway economy that is booming in many counties and cities in Taiwan.
He emphasized that they are still very active in developing related businesses in Taiwan, including how to utilize the experience accumulated in operating in-station commercial facilities in Japan and the experience in related railway economy development, hoping to give back to Taiwanese society. Targeting government bids, he said, "As long as there is an opportunity, we will try."
Regarding the "Metro Corner atre Taipei Main Station" development project operated by Taiwan JREast Business Development, Haruno Shibuda, Associate Manager of the Business Development Department at JR East Taiwan Business Development, said that three stores have already opened, with four more to be added by the end of the month. The second phase will begin in two years, taking over the shops on both sides.
As for his view on the Taipei Main Station business district, Hamano is optimistic that the future operation of the Taipei Twin Towers on the west side of Taipei Main Station will bring more business opportunities and foot traffic. He is also paying attention to the railway economies in multiple regions such as Taiwan Railways, Taichung, and Taoyuan. For now, the focus will be on developing station commercial spaces, including buildings connected to the stations.
With frequent exchanges between Taiwan and Japan in recent years, Japanese companies are investing in Taiwan, and chain stores are expanding. Hamano said the first reason is that Taiwan is very pro-Japan, and the whole atmosphere makes Japanese companies feel hopeful and secure. In addition, many Taiwanese people travel to Japan, and they want to relive their memories of Japanese food in Taiwan, which increases the willingness and opportunities for Japanese companies to invest.
He also mentioned that he hopes more Taiwanese companies will develop in Japan. Japan loves Taiwanese food, and if there are excellent Taiwanese brands and outstanding items in food, clothing, housing, and transportation, they can offer many proposals to the Japanese people and even make more progress in commerce. He hopes to assist the Taiwanese side in opening stores and conducting promotions in atre malls in Japan. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150514
(CNA, Taipei, 14th, Reporter Chiang Ming-yen) The JR East Group previously joined the bidding for the Taipei Main Station shopping mall, and although it did not win, it still garnered market attention. Yoshiyuki Hamano, General Manager of JR East Taiwan Business Development, said today that they will pick themselves up and continue to target Taiwan's "railway economy." He also observed that Taiwan is very pro-Japan, with many tourists visiting Japan, and the whole atmosphere makes Japanese companies feel secure and hopeful, increasing their willingness to invest.
The result of the bidding for the management rights of the Taipei Main Station shopping mall was announced on April 28 this year, with Taiwan High Speed Rail announcing Shin Kong Mitsukoshi as the most preferential applicant. In addition to major domestic retail players competing for this project, the entry of Japanese railway operator JR East into the fray also received market attention.
Japanese bookstore TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE opened a store in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park today, holding an opening event where Kazuma Otsuka, Chairman of Taiwan Tsutaya, and Yoshiyuki Hamano, General Manager of JR East Taiwan Business Development, signed a business cooperation memorandum.
Hamano stated that Tsutaya has many malls in Japan and Taiwan, and its group company "atre" also has numerous commercial facilities in Japan. The current plan is to use the stores owned by both parties to exchange products and culture between Taiwan and Japan.
Regarding the loss in the Taipei Main Station shopping mall bid, Hamano admitted it was indeed disappointing. "We will pick ourselves up," he said, targeting the railway economy that is booming in many counties and cities in Taiwan.
He emphasized that they are still very active in developing related businesses in Taiwan, including how to utilize the experience accumulated in operating in-station commercial facilities in Japan and the experience in related railway economy development, hoping to give back to Taiwanese society. Targeting government bids, he said, "As long as there is an opportunity, we will try."
Regarding the "Metro Corner atre Taipei Main Station" development project operated by Taiwan JREast Business Development, Haruno Shibuda, Associate Manager of the Business Development Department at JR East Taiwan Business Development, said that three stores have already opened, with four more to be added by the end of the month. The second phase will begin in two years, taking over the shops on both sides.
As for his view on the Taipei Main Station business district, Hamano is optimistic that the future operation of the Taipei Twin Towers on the west side of Taipei Main Station will bring more business opportunities and foot traffic. He is also paying attention to the railway economies in multiple regions such as Taiwan Railways, Taichung, and Taoyuan. For now, the focus will be on developing station commercial spaces, including buildings connected to the stations.
With frequent exchanges between Taiwan and Japan in recent years, Japanese companies are investing in Taiwan, and chain stores are expanding. Hamano said the first reason is that Taiwan is very pro-Japan, and the whole atmosphere makes Japanese companies feel hopeful and secure. In addition, many Taiwanese people travel to Japan, and they want to relive their memories of Japanese food in Taiwan, which increases the willingness and opportunities for Japanese companies to invest.
He also mentioned that he hopes more Taiwanese companies will develop in Japan. Japan loves Taiwanese food, and if there are excellent Taiwanese brands and outstanding items in food, clothing, housing, and transportation, they can offer many proposals to the Japanese people and even make more progress in commerce. He hopes to assist the Taiwanese side in opening stores and conducting promotions in atre malls in Japan. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150514