ROC first lady set for Japan visit

2014-07-30

ROC first lady Chow Mei-ching will lead Vox Nativa Children’s Choir on a visit to Japan and attend a special exhibition at Tokyo National Museum, according to the Presidential Office July 28.

Chow is set to leave for Tokyo July 31 and return to Taipei Aug. 5. During the five-day visit, she will attend three performances by the Nantou County-based choir in the Japanese capital.

The first lady is visiting TNM at the invitation of museum director Masami Zeniya, and will take part in an Aug. 4 preview of six Chinese calligraphies and paintings on loan from Taipei City-based National Palace Museum.

The show is part of a special NPM exhibition running June 24 to Sept. 15 at the Tokyo museum. The choir is also set to perform at the event to show their support for survivors of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

Chow’s visit was rescheduled following controversy over TNM-commissioned exhibition promotional material describing NPM as Taipei Palace Museum. The Presidential Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested the action June 20 and urged TNM take steps to remedy the situation.

On June 23, TNM complied, attributing the problem to Japanese sponsors of the show. Zeniya also expressed regret over the controversy at a special tea party held the same day.

According to the NPM, the exhibition attracted more than 150,000 visitors during the first two weeks, and is expected to continue chalking up healthy attendance numbers with the unveiling of the six new pieces.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=220119&CtNode=413)