On April 1, Consul General Kazuhiro Nakai, Consulate General of Japan in Miami presented the certificate and medal of “the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays” to Professor Shigeko Honda of the University of West Florida (UWF), who has made tremendous contributions to enhance ties between Japan and Florida/Pensacola. We are grateful that the UWF has one of the most renowned courses on Japanese language and culture in Florida, and it was Prof. Honda who started them in 1987. Till she retired in 2013, she diligently taught in UWF for twenty-seven years, producing many JET participants and thos ..read more

Taipei, April 2 (CNA) A food truck featuring free delicacies from Belize began a nationwide tour in Taipei on Tuesday to promote its culture and strengthen bonds with people in Taiwan. Speaking at the launch event held at the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park, Belizean Ambassador Candice Pitts said she wanted to promote Belizean cuisine on a Taiwan tour because “it aligns with the mission of our Belize embassy, which is to reach and connect with all 23 million plus Taiwanese.” “And what better way to reach, connect, and bond with people than through food, that universal language of Love,” she s ..read more

Taipei, March 30 (CNA) Taiwanese-American beauty queens Tiffany Chang (張芳瑜) and MimiQ Soong (宋依珊) said on Saturday that they would like to use their status to inspire more young women to become engaged in philanthropic work, during a trip to Taiwan. The two are currently studying for their bachelor’s degree in the United States and are visiting Taiwan during spring break. At a press event in Taipei, Chang, who is 2024 Miss Asia USA, discussed her non-profit organization Madhatter Knits. Founded in 2014, it makes free hand-knitted hats to give to premature babies at medical institutions. Chang ..read more

Aries (21 March – 19 April) – You want mental stimulation, and you’re easier to be around because you say the right things and try to get along well with people. You’re more defensive of your beliefs, but you need to be more open to what other people believe. It’s also a time when inspiration comes suddenly, and you could pick up new, and possibly radically different, interests or goals at this time. If single, you can meet someone through a sibling, neighbor, or in your community. If you’re in a relationship, you can have a mental rapport with your partner. Favorable Dates : April 3, 10, 12 ..read more

It is always a great pleasure to commend our friends for their work in developing goodwill and friendship with Japan, and on March 16, Consul General Kazuhiro Nakai of Japan in Miami was particularly pleased to confer the “Japanese Foreign Minister’s Certificate of Commendation” to the Japan Association of Orlando (JAO). Since the JAO was established in June 2011, it has made outstanding contributions to promote a greater understanding of Japan in Florida and enhanced the friendship between us. The Orlando Japan Festival, the largest Japanese cultural festival in Florida, was created and has ..read more

New Taipei, March 17 (CNA) A day of “Holi Festival” celebrations featuring Indian food, music, and dance performances was staged by the Indian de-facto embassy in Taiwan at a New Taipei park on Sunday to mark the arrival of spring. Speaking at the event opening, Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav, head of the India Taipei Association (ITA) said that the Indian holiday is meant to welcome the season of spring with “colors and joy and happiness.” ITA represents Indian interests in Taiwan in the absence of official ties. Given that Holi is also a celebration of diversity, the envoy said the event in New ..read more

On 2/29, Consul General Kazuhiro Nakai of Japan in Miami was invited by the Miami-Dade Beacon Council to give his briefing on the recent Miami-Dade County’s trade mission to Japan (Nov. 26 to Dec. 6, 2023), its outcome and the outlook of the Japan/Miami-Dade business relationship. After introducing the objectives and outlines of the mission, Consul General Nakai spoke about its rich program and activities, which started with the “Miami Dade Branding Seminar” in the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said this seminar was very effective in changing the mindset of Tokyo business leaders ..read more

In life, there are infinite amounts of interests and hobbies that can be connected to water. Although, there is a particular activity that doesn’t come to most people’s minds: Dragon boating. Specifically, there is a sport that’s been in practice since 489 BC. This is known as Dragon boating. In the 1970’s it began to spread internationally, and in present day there is a program in Orlando which is presented to the youth from low socio-economic backgrounds. It began in the early 2010’s, and it formed a mentoring program between the Orlando Fire Department, Orlando Police Department, Orlando Sh ..read more

This year, 2024, is the year of the dragon! In the Chinese Zodiac, the year of the dragon is said to bring prosperity, authority, good fortune, evolution, and improvement. The dragon is a well-known mascot in Chinese culture and is associated with good luck, justice, prosperity, and strength. In Chinese culture, the dragon is considered a celestial and divine creature that can control natural elements like wind and water. In Orlando we are fortunate enough to have the “Dragon Parade Lunar New Year”, an annual event put together by Mills 50 –  City of Orlando Mains ..read more

Taipei, Feb. 25 (CNA) The annual Lantern Festival, which fell on Feb. 24 according to the 2024 Lunar Calendar, lit up the skies across Taiwan Saturday night through unique celebrations across the island’s myriad of communities. Traditional Dragon Dance performers in Miaoli County put on a ceremonial routine in exploding firecrackers on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Miaoli County Government As per tradition, the most magnificent event on the island is the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival, which returned to Tainan for the first time in 16 years. Combined with the fact that 2024 is the Year of the Dr ..read more