Japanese cyclists to tour Taiwan in thanks for quake aid

Taipei, Feb. 5 (CNA) A Japanese cycling team will cycle around Taiwan in March to mark the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and thank Taiwanese people for their post-disaster support, organizers said Thursday.

About 30 cyclists, led by Japanese writer Tae Hitoto (一青妙), will ride around the island from March 7-15 as a gesture of appreciation for the donations and assistance Taiwan provided after the disaster, the Tourism Administration said at a news conference.

The team will depart from the Presidential Office in Taipei and travel through Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Taichung and Hsinchu, interacting with local communities along the route.

Hitoto said the group has prepared thank-you stickers to share during the journey.

Tourism Administration Director-General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said the event will help showcase Taiwan's scenery and hospitality to Japanese travelers and promote cycling tourism.

Japan remains a key source market, with 1.48 million Japanese visitors last year, and arrivals are targeted to rise to 1.7 million this year, she said.

Event organizer Tsuyoshi Nojima (野島剛), a former Taiwan correspondent for the Asahi Shimbun, said the tour aims to turn Japan's gratitude into concrete action.

The Tourism Administration said a "Thank You, Taiwan--Japan-Taiwan Friendship Night" event will be held in Kaohsiung during the tour.

The March 11, 2011 earthquake off northeastern Japan triggered a massive tsunami and nuclear plant crisis that killed an estimated 15,000 to 18,000 people and prompted an outpouring of international aid, including significant donations from Taiwan.