Kaohsiung and Kitakyushu Join Forces Again to Aid Kumamoto: Udon Food Truck Delivers Hot Meals Directly to Disaster Zone

Kaohsiung's collaborative aid effort with Japan's Kitakyushu City for Kumamoto continues to gain momentum. After the initial delivery of 132 boxes of essential daily supplies to Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto Prefecture, the Kaohsiung City Government and Kitakyushu City have once again joined forces. This time, they are partnering with 'Mr. Zi Udon,' a restaurant chain originating from Kitakyushu and operating its first overseas branch in Taiwan, to dispatch a food truck to Kumamoto’s disaster-stricken areas on April 10. The initiative aims to provide freshly cooked hot meals to evacuees, directly delivering compassion from Taiwanese and Japanese cities and corporate partners to affected residents.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai emphasized that Kaohsiung citizens have consistently cared about Kumamoto’s disaster situation, maintaining contact with Kitakyushu City since the disaster occurred and delivering essential supplies to the affected areas. This latest effort to provide hot meals remains grounded in the same core principle: "understanding the actual needs of the disaster zone and swiftly delivering support directly into people’s hands." He highlighted that Kaohsiung, Kumamoto, and Kitakyushu, as well as Taiwan and Japan, are all vital friends to one another, and should stand together in times of need. Mayor Chen affirmed that Kaohsiung will continue to stand by Kumamoto through this difficult period.

The Kaohsiung City Government noted that after the initial delivery of supplies to Yatsushiro City, they have maintained continuous communication with local authorities to understand the real-time needs of evacuation shelters. As the displacement period extends, the emergency food provided daily in shelters has become repetitive, and many evacuees have expressed a desire for a "hot, steaming bowl of soup." In response to this feedback, Kaohsiung immediately consulted with Kitakyushu City to determine the most effective form of support, aiming to deliver assistance that closely aligns with evacuees’ daily needs, and swiftly launched this second wave of cross-border aid.

Mayor Chen also recorded a special video message to express condolences and support to Kumamoto’s affected residents. He stated that from the initial delivery of essential supplies to now bringing hot meals into the disaster zone, Kaohsiung hopes to accompany evacuees through their difficult living conditions through concrete actions. He expressed gratitude to Kitakyushu Mayor Takeuchi Kazuhisa and the city’s administrative team for their coordination and support, reiterating that "Kaohsiung, Kumamoto, and Kitakyushu, as well as Taiwan and Japan, are all important friends to each other." He emphasized that mutual support is especially crucial in times of disaster and hardship, and extended his wishes for Kumamoto’s swift recovery and reconstruction, and for residents to return to peaceful, normal lives as soon as possible.

This relief effort has also brought 'Mr. Zi Udon' into the support network. Founded in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 'Mr. Zi Udon' is a representative local comfort food brand that established its first overseas branch in Taiwan. The company had already been considering sending a food truck to provide meals in disaster-affected areas. Upon learning of the ongoing collaboration between Kaohsiung and Kitakyushu to aid Kumamoto, they immediately responded and joined the initiative, hoping to deliver tangible support and warmth to evacuees through bowls of hot, freshly made udon.

The Kaohsiung City Government emphasized that this aid mission goes beyond cross-border material support, showcasing the strong cooperation and默契 between Taiwanese and Japanese cities in disaster response. From the initial direct delivery of supplies to Yatsushiro City to this second phase of providing hot meals based on evacuees’ needs, Kaohsiung and Kitakyushu have continuously leveraged their established city-to-city exchanges and mutual trust to rapidly mobilize both governmental and private-sector resources, delivering aid precisely where it is most needed.

The Kaohsiung City Government stressed that the most critical aspect of disaster relief is responding to frontline needs. Moving forward, they will maintain close communication with Kitakyushu City and other international partners, continuing to support Kumamoto throughout its recovery phase and deepening the friendship between Taiwanese and Japanese cities through concrete actions.