August 8, Reiwa 8: Kang Yu-Cheng Attends Hachioji Festival, Witnessing 190 Couples' Happy Moments

Happiness met an auspicious day, and the city shared in the joy! Hachioji City, Tokyo, held its annual '2026 Hachioji Festival' yesterday (August 8), coinciding with the rare date of Reiwa 8, August 8. Since the number '8' carries auspicious connotations in Japanese culture, a total of 190 couples chose this special day to register their marriages and were invited as special guests of the festival. Speaker Kang Yu-Cheng of the Kaohsiung City Council led a delegation including National Diplomacy Promotion Association Chairperson Cheng Meng-ju, Vice Chairs Tang Yong-yu, Huang Fei-feng, Tsai Jin-yan, Pai Chiao-yin, and Kuo Chien-meng, among other councilors, to participate in the festivities. They joined Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Li Huai-ren, Education Commissioner Wu Li-sen, and International Affairs Division Director Chang Yen-ching in experiencing the vibrant festival atmosphere and witnessing 190 couples embark on a new chapter of happiness.

Kang Yu-Cheng stated that August 8 is not only an important annual festival in Hachioji but also carries added joy and auspiciousness due to the unique alignment of 'Reiwa 8, August 8'. With 190 couples entering a new life stage on the same day, the entire city was filled with blessings and festive energy. 'Being in Hachioji on such a special day, I felt not only the excitement of the festival but also the warmest human touch of the city,' she said. On the day of the festival, streets were bustling with crowds, massive floats paraded through the city accompanied by drumbeats and traditional hayashi music, and residents enthusiastically participated in traditional festival attire. The interweaving of traditional culture and modern urban life showcased Hachioji's unique local cultural charm.

Kang noted that when she first brought Tang Yong-yu and Kuo Chien-meng to the Hachioji Festival last year, both were deeply captivated by the grand float procession and the vibrant festival atmosphere, and they felt the citizens' pride and identification with their local culture. This year, with their return and more councilors voluntarily joining the exchange, it stands as the best testament to the festival's unique appeal and reflects the deepening ties between the two regions.

Kaohsiung Council Delegation Participates in Japanese Traditional Festival — Chinese Arts School Performs 'Mazu Pilgrimage: Taiwan-Japan Friendship'

This year, the Kaohsiung Chinese Arts School was once again invited to participate in the Hachioji Festival, presenting the performance 'Mazu Pilgrimage: Taiwan-Japan Friendship'. The Creative Folk Dance Troupe combined characters such as Mazu, Qianliyan, and Shunfeng'er, integrating traditional Taiwanese folk arts, dance, and martial arts to vividly portray scenes of Mazu's procession, divine escort, and blessings, allowing Japanese audiences to experience the charm of Taiwanese traditional culture up close.

Kang Yu-Cheng specially presented a consolation grant of 30,000 yen to the teachers and students of the Chinese Arts School, recognizing their efforts in representing Taiwanese culture through art abroad and serving as important cultural envoys in Taiwan-Japan exchanges. She emphasized that culture is the warmest and most accessible form of diplomacy that transcends language and borders. The Hachioji Festival provides a platform for people from both regions to meet and exchange, continuously deepening the friendship between Kaohsiung and Hachioji through cultural engagement.

Kang further stated that Kaohsiung has long maintained friendly exchanges with various Japanese cities. Through festivals, arts, education, and local council exchanges, both sides have deepened their understanding of urban development and strengthened people-to-people bonds. In the future, the Kaohsiung City Council will continue to promote international city exchanges, bringing more of Kaohsiung's culture and stories to the world. She also extended a warm invitation to Japanese friends to visit Kaohsiung and experience the的热情 of the port city, allowing Taiwan-Japan friendship to continue blossoming through sincere interactions.