A Japanese friendship group from Hachioji is visiting Penghu for three days, a small but positive step for Taiwan-Japan ties and for Penghu's tourism hopes.

• Penghu's deputy magistrate Lin Chieh-hsing welcomed the delegation and gave its head, former Hachioji mayor Kurosu Ryuichi, an honorary resident certificate.
• Both sides want more cooperation in tourism, culture, education, and city-to-city links.
• Penghu and Japan's Toyama Bay and Shizuoka all belong to the "world's most beautiful bays" group, giving them common ground.
• Kurosu has visited Taiwan about 90 times but only now made it to Penghu, after years of being put off by winter weather.
• He said most Japanese people still know little about Penghu and urged the county to push harder on promotion in Japan.

Outlook: Expect more grassroots exchange trips and a stronger Penghu marketing push aimed at Japanese travelers.