The Japan Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Junior Chapter (JTCCJC) held a Mid-Autumn Festival Mandarin Chinese Cultural Experience Camp, titled "The Jade Rabbit Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival," in Tokyo on September 27. Attracting 30 parents and children, the event featured Chinese-language picture books, clay crafts, and bingo games to introduce children from Taiwanese families living in Japan to traditional Mid-Autumn Festival customs and Mandarin Chinese, while fostering parent-child interaction and strengthening connections among Taiwanese families in Japan.
JTCCJC President Pin-Chen Chiu noted that, in addition to facilitating exchanges among young entrepreneurs, the Junior Chapter hopes to provide more opportunities for the next generation of Taiwanese living in Japan to connect with Taiwanese culture through family-oriented activities. The organization plans to gradually extend the duration of its programs and eventually develop them into summer camps, giving children more time to learn Mandarin, discover Taiwan, and build friendships with other Taiwanese families in Japan.
Cheng-Yun Li, Deputy Director of the Overseas Community Affairs Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, noted that children from Taiwanese families in Japan can learn both Japanese and Mandarin from an early age. Bilingual learning allows children to explore different cultures and broaden their global perspectives. Beyond serving as a means of communication, language learning is also an important gateway to understanding cultural diversity. She hoped that the event would introduce children to Taiwan's languages and cultures in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, sparking their interest in learning Mandarin and fostering a deeper appreciation of Taiwanese culture.
The event featured a series of activities led by instructor Min-Hsuan Chen, who began by introducing the origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the legend of Chang'e Flying to the Moon in Mandarin. This was followed by a hands-on clay craft session, during which children could unleash their creativity and complete their creations with their parents' guidance. The program concluded with a bingo game featuring festive images such as mooncakes and pomelos, allowing children to review Mandarin vocabulary and deepen their understanding of Mid-Autumn Festival traditions in a fun and engaging atmosphere.
The event was organized by the Japan Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Junior Chapter, with support from よーいどんこどもクラブ (Yo-i Don Kids Club). Among the attendees were Yi-Chun Lin, President of the Asia Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Junior Chapter, and Te-Hsiu Lin, Honorary President of the Japan Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce. Through engaging and educational activities, the event fostered connections among Taiwanese families living in Japan while creating more opportunities for the next generation of overseas Taiwanese to learn Mandarin and preserve Taiwanese cultural traditions.
Participants at "The Jade Rabbit Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival" cultural experience camp.
Hands-on clay craft sessions for attending families.
Sharing the legend of Chang'e Flying to the Moon with participating families.
Remarks by Cheng-Yun Li, Deputy Director of the Overseas Community Affairs Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan.