2026-02-09

To broaden students’ international perspectives and deepen Taiwan–Japan university sports exchanges, the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) hosted the baseball team from Kokushikan University on February 2 for a friendly exhibition game. Through on-field competition and mutual learning, the event highlighted the role of university athletics as a platform for international exchange.

Representing NUK, Executive Vice President Wu Hsing-Hao welcomed the visiting delegation and emphasized that sports exchanges are not only opportunities for technical competition, but also important bridges for cultural understanding and youth engagement. He noted that NUK has long promoted campus internationalization through meaningful exchange activities that allow students to build cross-border friendships while strengthening long-term cooperation between Taiwanese and Japanese collegiate sports communities.

The ceremonial first pitch before the game was jointly conducted by Executive Vice President Wu Hsing-Hao and Kenichiro Koreeda, Deputy Director of the Kaohsiung Office of the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association. NUK Honorary Professor Sun Mei-Lien and Director of Physical Education Lin Chi-Chan also attended the event.

Located in Tokyo, Kokushikan University is home to a baseball program established in 1959. The team has long competed in the highly competitive Tohto University Baseball League, often referred to as the “Warring States of Tohto” due to its intense level of competition. The program is widely respected within Japan’s collegiate baseball system for its strong training tradition and competitive reputation.

This visit to Taiwan was part of the team’s overseas training and academic exchange program. Through matches with NUK, coaches and players engaged in discussions and exchanges related to training methods, competitive experience, and team culture, further expanding their international exposure.

The friendly match featured Fujioka Kanta leading Kokushikan University and Head Coach Lin Chao-Yang leading NUK. Both teams competed with intensity, delivering a fast-paced game with strong offensive and defensive performances. After multiple innings of competitive play, NUK secured a 7–1 victory to conclude the exchange event.

#SDG3 #SDG4 #SDG17