REPORT: Mr. Noriyuki Iizuka,
Director for Computerization Promotion
Bureau of Urban Development, TMG

Due to my participation in the "2009 Intelligent Cities ICT Forum Taipei," held as part of the joint project "ICT Initiatives for Urban Development," the next year, the TMG Table Tennis Club participated in the Taipei City Government Administrative Staff Table Tennis tournament in August of 2010.

Since then, the number of young members of our club increased dramatically. This time, in response to the strong desire of these younger players to participate in international exchange matches, we contacted the Taipei City Government. Our request was warmly received, and in July 2013 we again participated in the tournament.

On this occasion as well, rather than just a table tennis exchange, our administrative staff also had an opportunity to learn about Taipei City Government policies. We were kindly given site visits of four locations throughout the city; the disaster prevention center, the call center, the police department, and an incinerator facility. Through both parties asking questions of one another, we could learn of the similarities and differences that exist between Tokyo and Taipei.

In the exchange matches, play was really exciting; with numerous close contests. However, neither the Tokyo men's or women's teams were able to win against the top teams of Taipei. At the reception afterwards, all the players really enjoyed their interactions with one another, and I personally was able to share reminiscences with Mr. Han Ying-Jun, the Chief of the Personnel Department of the Taipei City Government, who again offered us the opportunity of the table tennis exchange on this occasion. In having an interest in further expanding the sporting exchanges undertaken through ANMC21 and among administrative staff of the two cities, Mr. Ho Chin-Liang, the Sports Department Commissioner of Taipei City, also welcomed us warmly. Furthermore, at the social gathering, a message to Mr. Chen Hsiung-Wen, the Deputy Mayor of Taipei City was read out on behalf of Mr. Hideki Ito, the Chief of Protocol of the TMG. This message was passed to Mr. Yun-Ren Chen, Secretary General of Taipei City.

I would now like to introduce some comments from the TMG staff who participated.

• I strongly sensed that the Taipei's staffs welcomed us "without reservation," and I was much moved by this.
• During matches, we received huge support from a large number of smiling of Taipei's staff. I was much moved by this display of friendship.
• I was really surprised at the 24-hour, free-of-charge call center where citizens could consult with public services. I felt this was a system that, even if just a little, would overcome some of the weaknesses of bureaucratic sectionalism.
• With large numbers of Japanese-speaking staff found in convenience stores and restaurants, etc., I sensed that Taiwan is maturing both as an international city, and as a tourist destination.

Due to the great warmth displayed to us by the staff of Taipei City Government, the exchange event turned out to be an amazing experience. Thank you very much.