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aiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s expansion into the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto has sparked travel interest among Taiwanese people, leading to an increase in visitors from the island.
The number of arrivals is expected to grow following the opening of the world’s largest contract chipmaker’s first
After China Airlines and Starlux Airlines launched direct flights connecting Taipei and Kumamoto last September, overnight stays in the prefecture by Taiwanese people from that month through November grew around 20,000 from the previous three months to 82,160, according to Japanese government data.
Underscoring the robust demand, the seat occupancy rate on the two Taiwanese airlines’ direct flights exceeded 80 percent through the end of the year, with tourists accounting for many of the passengers, according to the prefectural government.
The number of round-trip flights connecting the two locations will be increased by one to 12 per week starting Tuesday.
“Everyone in Taiwan knows Kumamoto — Kumamon and TSMC,” said Xu Da-fu, an employee at a Taiwanese travel company, referring to the prefecture’s black bear character mascot, as he was showing about 20 tourists around Kumamoto Castle in the city of Kumamoto.
Yuki Uchida, who sells sponge cakes in the shape of Kumamon near the castle, said, “Taiwanese customers have definitely increased. I see customers lining up on weekends,” while expressing a desire to be able to communicate with them in Chinese.
Xu Qiu-mei, chair of Taiyuu Yukokai, an organization promoting cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Kumamoto, said she had also faced difficulty communicating in the past.
“Local government officials are accommodating and we would like to offer support as much as possible when help is needed in daily life,” Xu said.