【Epoch Times, December 22, 2025】Taiwan-Japan exchanges are increasingly vibrant, with performances by the Japanese Kiku High School and the Emerald Knights receiving great praise from Taiwanese audiences. A delegation led by the acting Secretary-General of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, Koichi Hagiuda, along with other members of parliament, visited Taiwan and met with President Lai Ching-te.
The Kyoto Kiku High School Band, together with the Tokyo Agriculture University High School Band, comprising over 250 members, returned to Taiwan. Secretary-General of the Chinese Cultural Association, Li Hou-qing, stated that both Kiku High School and Agriculture University High School are among Japan’s top wind orchestras, representing champions of the Kansai and Kanto regions respectively. They had previously participated in the National Day celebrations in Taiwan in 2022 and 2023, leaving a lasting impression on Taiwanese audiences.
Li Hou-qing mentioned that this joint performance by the two champion teams in Taiwan for the first time is a rare musical event, expressing gratitude to Kiku High School and Agriculture University High School for dedicating such a special music celebration to the friends in Taiwan, showcasing new chapters in the Taiwan-Japan friendship.
Dubbed the “Emerald Knights,” the Tokyo Agriculture University Second High School Band arrived in Taiwan on the 17th, joining the Kyoto Kiku High School Band who arrived on the 18th. Together with Taiwan’s “Respect High School Flag Team,” they brought enthusiasm to Taipei’s western district with the “Sound of Friendship, Dance of Youth – Flash Mob in Ximending” event, receiving continuous applause from the audience.
The Japanese Kiku High School and Emerald Knights traveled from the north to the south of Taiwan, engaging in exchanges with Respect High School Flag Team, Kaohsiung Girls’ High School Band, Pingtung Girls’ High School Band, Nanrong Junior High School Marching Band, and Meiho University Kapok Eagle Team. The Chinese Cultural Association stated that after a series of performances in Taiwan, the Emerald Knights departed on the 22nd, while the Kiku High School Band is set to leave on the morning of the 23rd.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Takai recently made a statement about “Taiwan’s well-being,” standing firm against Chinese pressure and maintaining high public support in both Japan and Taiwan.
Taiwan-Japan relations are warming up. The Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation released a poll on the 22nd, asking about the opinion on the first female Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Takai, who has received significant attention for her clear stance on “Taiwan’s well-being is Japan’s well-being,” causing strong displeasure from China (CCP). The poll showed that 58% of the people admire Naoto Takai.
According to reports from the Japanese Jiji Press, acting Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Koichi Hagiuda, is currently visiting Taiwan, while former Foreign Minister Taro Kono and six other members of the faction will also visit Taiwan on the 24th. From now until early next year, around 30 Japanese parliamentarians are expected to visit Taiwan in succession.
Taiwan legislator Chen Guan-ting stated that Taiwan should seize the opportunity of the rearrangement of Japan’s foreign relations in the current political landscape, further deepening cooperation in the economic and security sectors on top of existing exchanges. Especially in issues related to semiconductor and key mineral supply chain resilience, Taiwan aims to become a reliable long-term partner for Japan.