TSMC is building a plant in Kumamoto City, which is driving industrial collaboration between Taiwan and Japan. Nagayama Hidenari, Deputy Mayor of Miyazaki City, led a delegation to visit Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke today (February 13) to facilitate the exchange focused on industrial development between Miyazaki City and Hsinchu County. Deputy Mayor Nagayama mentioned that the Miyazaki government is actively planning science park development, and expressed eagerness to learn from Magistrate Yang’s long years of experience related to Central Taiwan Science Park and Hsinchu Science Park. Deputy Mayor Nagayama also mentioned that he hopes there will be more collaboration opportunities between Hsinchu County and the Miyazaki region to promote prosperity and development in both places. Both sides exchanged gifts during the visit.
The delegation was led by Miyazaki Deputy Mayor Nagayama Hidenari and accompanied by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Professor Frank Koo as they visited the County Government. The delegation also included Miyazaki City Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry Kodama Hiroshi; Miyazaki Prefecture Business Promotion Bureau Director General Kodama Yōichi; and Senior Staff Member Hara Seishi. Deputy Mayor Nagayama stated that TSMC’s new plant investment in Kumamoto has helped boost the technology industry’s development in the whole Kyushu region. Since the Miyazaki government is also planning to carry out projects related to science park development, the delegation is eager to learn from Hsinchu County’s successful experiences through this visit.
Magistrate Yang noted that, with TSMC’s new plant investment in Kumamoto, there will certainly be increased up- and down-stream supply chain demand. He therefore suggested that the Miyazaki City delegation seek investment from Hsinchu. The magistrate pointed out that factors such as local land, water supply, electricity supply, and natural gas supply are all of critical importance, and particular attention needs to be paid to response and defense mechanisms for natural disasters (especially earthquakes). Subsequent talent training and industry-academia connection are also essential. Based on the long-established sister-city relationship between Miyazaki Prefecture and Hsinchu County, the County will spare no effort to support Miyazaki when it needs help, and looks forward to Miyazaki attracting investment from Hsinchu County.
Deputy Mayor Nagayama expressed gratitude for Magistrate Yang’s advice, and stated that Miyazaki will continue their efforts in these directions to invest in science park development. Miyazaki has already given a great deal of consideration to site selection for science park construction. They will work to organize related information meetings in Hsinchu County in the future. Deputy Mayor Nagayama finally expressed a hope that Magistrate Yang can visit Miyazaki in person to give even more advice related to the construction and development of science parks.
Miyazaki Prefecture and Hsinchu County have maintained close interactions and positive relationships since signing an Agreement of Friendship Exchange in 2017. Most of the exchanges in recent years have been focused on the athletic, cultural, and educational spheres. Through this visit, the scope of exchange has been expanded to industrial development. Both sides expressed hopes that more exchange opportunities in the future will promote greater positive interactions between Taiwan and Japan.