Visiting Kaohsiung to observe the election, former Deputy Speaker of the Yokohama City Council Toshiaki Mori: Cheer for Taiwan’s democracy

Toshiaki Mori, the former deputy speaker of the Yokohama City Council in Japan and the current chairman of the Yokohama City Election Management Committee, together with former council member Tomokazu Nakao, made a special trip to pay a special visit to the chairman of the meeting, Yucheng Yasushi, this morning. (provided by Parliament)

Toshiaki Mori, the former deputy speaker of the Yokohama City Council in Japan and the current chairman of the Yokohama City Election Management Committee, together with former council member Tomokazu Nakao, made a special visit to the chairman of the meeting, Kang Yucheng, this morning. The two sides exchanged electoral systems and election experience, and observed the atmosphere of Taiwan's local elections on the spot. Toshiaki Mori said that he would support Taiwan's democracy.

Toshiaki Mori has been involved in Japanese elections and local affairs operations for many years. During this trip, he hopes to understand the handling of Taiwan's local council elections and the atmosphere of public participation through on-the-spot observation, and also to express support and blessings to Taiwanese friends with whom he has long been friendly.

Today, he paid a visit to Speaker Kang Yu-cheng to convey the encouragement from Japanese friends. He also presented Bodhidharma, which was blessed by Kawasaki Shrine and has the meaning of cheering, and Tunku Tunku, the mascot doll for next year’s International Horticultural Expo. He was also deeply interested in campaign souvenirs unique to Taiwan’s elections, such as tissue paper, small fans, and folding support paper fans, and specially asked for them as souvenirs.

Kang Yu-cheng entertained Japanese friends on the spot, including frozen taro, rice cakes and other local desserts. She emphasized that Taiwan and Japan are both democratic societies, and the local councils of both sides have close interactions all year round. Japanese VIPs came from afar to observe the election, which not only showed a deep friendship, but also helped both sides learn from each other on the electoral system and deliberation operations. She also looked forward to the two city councils meeting again when Yokohama holds the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Summit and the International Horticultural Expo in 2027.

The two city councils of Kaohsiung and Yokohama have become sister councils since 2000, with constant visits to each other. Toshiaki Mori served as the president of the Japan-China Friendship Yokohama City Council Members Alliance, and has long promoted Taiwan-Japan parliamentary diplomacy and local exchanges; Kang Yu-cheng 20 17 has visited the Yokohama City Council. In recent years, the two sides have closer exchanges. The Yokohama City Council organized a delegation to visit Gao in November 2023 and April 2025, and Kang Yucheng led a delegation to return in November 2025.