Taipei: Members of Japan’s Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School marching band, known as the Orange Devils, have arrived in Taiwan for a series of performances across the island. They are set to showcase their musical talents alongside the Tokyo University of Agriculture Second High School’s marching band, the Emerald Knights, marking a rare collaboration of top institutions from both western and eastern Japan in Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, the General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC) extended the invitation to the two bands, totaling over 250 members. This event underscores the strong cultural ties between Taiwan and Japan, with each band having previously performed separately during Taiwan’s National Day celebrations in 2022 and 2023. GACC Secretary-General Lee Hou-ching emphasized that promoting musical exchanges with Taiwanese students aligns with the association’s primary goals.

The collaborative tour will kick off with a parade in Taipei’s Ximending on Thursday night, culminating in a performance at the Taipei Zhongshan Hall. The bands will further join forces for a performance at the city’s Heping Basketball Gymnasium on Friday, before embarking on separate performances in Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung.

During their arrival, a member of the Kyoto band announced to reporters that they had prepared five new pieces specifically for the Taiwan tour, inviting the public to anticipate their performances eagerly.