Dreaming Abroad! Kaohsiung Youth Delegation Learns 1,300-Year-Old Washi Craftsmanship and Regional Revitalization in Japan

The Kaohsiung City Government Youth Bureau, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education's Youth Development Administration, launched the 'Youth Billion Dream Realization – Revitalization Envoys' overseas internship program. Starting July 25, 15 young participants embarked on an 18-day journey to Japan, visiting Mino City in Gifu Prefecture and Rokunohe City in Aomori Prefecture. Through field visits, cultural exchanges, and revitalization proposals, they gained in-depth insights into Japan's local governance and industrial revitalization models, culminating in a成果 presentation held in Mino City on August 1.

Visiting Japan's 'Dual Mino' and Rokunohe in Aomori: Returning Home to Propose Regional Revitalization Action Plans

Lin Kai-Hsuan, Director of the Youth Bureau, stated that the Kaohsiung City Government actively collaborates with central resources to encourage youth to combine local experiences with a global perspective, learning regional revitalization models through hands-on experience abroad. Prior to departure, the envoys conducted thorough research on the cultural and paper art heritage of Meinong District in Kaohsiung, approaching their visit with observations and questions about population changes, industrial transformation, and community governance. They engaged in deep discussions with local teams, hoping to transform their learnings into practical actions that drive urban and rural innovation in Kaohsiung upon return.

The Youth Bureau noted that Kaohsiung's Meinong District and Mino City in Gifu Prefecture established a friendship exchange agreement in 2012, building a long-term cooperative relationship based on paper art culture. By the end of 2024, Kaohsiung City also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on International Exchange Promotion with Aomori Prefecture and Rokunohe City. This internship leverages these existing ties, linking 'Kaohsiung Meinong × Gifu Mino' and 'Kaohsiung × Aomori Rokunohe,' enabling youth to observe diverse regional revitalization models from cultural, industrial, and community governance perspectives.

During their stay in Gifu Mino, the envoys participated in revitalization workshops, visited the historic center of 'Hon-Mino Paper' with over 1,300 years of tradition, and toured UNESCO-recognized traditional washi paper workshops. They also met with Mino City Mayor Hiroshi Shinoda and local revitalization support teams to understand Japan's regional revitalization policies and resource integration methods.

The youth team explored the historical district 'Umaya Town,' observing adaptive reuse of old buildings and local business operation models. Under the guidance of Japanese artisans, they created washi lanterns incorporating local elements from Kaohsiung, showcasing the results of Taiwan-Japan cultural exchange.

On August 1, the team held a成果 presentation at 'Michi-no-Eki Mino Niwaka Chaya' in Mino City, proposing regional revitalization concepts to the local government. Mayor Hiroshi Shinoda attended in person, offering feedback. The event featured displays of washi lantern artworks infused with Kaohsiung imagery and was live-streamed via social media platforms, sharing the achievements of youth exchange between Taiwan and Japan.

After completing the internship in Mino City, the team arrived in Rokunohe City, Aomori Prefecture, on August 2. They continue to investigate port industries, strawberry agriculture development, and local festival activities, joining forces with a delegation from the Kaohsiung City Government to deeply explore how the Shimokita Peninsula promotes sustainable regional development through fisheries, tourism, and youth engagement.

The Youth Bureau announced that upon returning to Taiwan in August, the envoys will host an exhibition during the 'Kaohsiung International Youth Festival,' publicly displaying their washi lantern creations, field research records, and regional revitalization action plans. This will share the outcomes of their overseas internship and transform international experiences into practical energy for local innovation in Kaohsiung.