【Epoch Times August 31, 2026】 After a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan on July 28, 38 people lost their lives and nearly 43,000 houses were damaged. The Taiwanese government and private sectors donated a significant amount of funds to assist in the reconstruction of Kumamoto. Governor Kei Kimura of Kumamoto Prefecture recently filmed a video specifically to express gratitude for Taiwan’s assistance.
At the beginning of this month, Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jason Lin, on behalf of the government, presented a relief donation of 5 million New Taiwan Dollars to Japan to aid in the post-disaster reconstruction efforts in Kumamoto. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also commissioned the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) to establish a private donation relief fund.
It is the first time that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has enlisted the TaiwanICDF to establish a private donation relief fund, with donations exceeding 300 million New Taiwan Dollars to date. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), located in Kikuyo Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, also announced a donation of 250 million Japanese Yen for post-disaster reconstruction, demonstrating the strong friendship between Taiwan and Japan.
In the video filmed recently, Governor Kimura expressed, “After the earthquake, we immediately received a lot of support and warm regards from various sectors in Taiwan, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone. This support not only includes donations to disaster victims and charities but also various supplies and medical aid, all of which have greatly assisted us.”
He further stated, “During the recovery and reconstruction process in the disaster area, we have received tremendous encouragement from Taiwan. This support has not only uplifted us but also reminded us once again of the deep and close friendship between Taiwan and Kumamoto.”
Kimura also mentioned in the video that the semiconductor-related industries in Kumamoto Prefecture have almost fully resumed operations, major tourist attractions have reopened, and he emphasized, “Kumamoto sincerely looks forward to the arrival of our friends from Taiwan and hopes that everyone can take direct flights from airports in Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung to visit Kumamoto.”
In the closing scenes of the video, Kimura appeared alongside Kumamon, the mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, expressing gratitude once again and hoping that the outside world will continue to support and encourage Kumamoto.
(Courtesy of the Central News Agency)