Shen Po-yang promotes resilience in Tokyo, narrowing Taipei mayoral poll gap

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Puma Shen attended the inauguration ceremony of the All-Japan Support Association in Tokyo on the 12th of this month, officially showcasing his international vision for a Taipei mayoral campaign to overseas Chinese and friendly nations. Shen pointed out at the meeting that future Taipei must center around becoming a "resilient city," enhancing its capabilities in disaster prevention, smart governance, and sustainable development through the exchange of experiences with advanced cities such as Japan. This statement not only echoes Taipei's recent efforts in earthquake prevention, flood control, and public infrastructure, but also implies that city diplomacy has become an integral part of Taiwan's overall security strategy, as urban protection and national security are closely intertwined at the local level.

Since the mayoral by-election held in 2022, the Taipei mayoral race has entered a new round of fierce competition. The DPP has nominated Puma Shen, representing the younger generation of politicians within the party, while the Kuomintang (KMT) has fielded incumbent city councilor and former legislator Chiang Wan-an. In past polls, a significant gap existed between the two candidates, with Chiang leading by double digits at one point. However, according to the latest internal polls revealed by Shen's campaign manager Wu Szu-yao, the gap in support between the two has narrowed to a single digit, indicating that Shen's campaign momentum continues to rise. Wu emphasized that this is not merely a change in numbers, but rather reflects voters' increasing attention to the issues of "urban governance" and "international cooperation."

Within Taiwan's political landscape, the concept of city diplomacy has gradually gained importance in recent years. As the capital and a window for international exchange, Taipei has previously signed sister-city agreements with multiple cities and initiated cooperation with Japan, Europe, and other regions in public health, smart transportation, and cultural promotion. Shen's remarks in Tokyo precisely aimed to deepen these existing foundations of cooperation into a "resilient" disaster prevention and cybersecurity network, enabling Taipei to rapidly mobilize international resources and technical support when facing natural disasters and external threats. This move also aligns with Taiwan's overall strategy to strive for greater diplomatic space on the international stage.

On the other hand, Chiang Wan-an's campaign team continues to emphasize his advantages in municipal experience and governing performance, adopting "stability" and "continuity" as its main axis in an attempt to persuade voters to maintain the existing path of development. The two parties present a sharp contrast in their policy propositions: the DPP focuses on innovation and international connectivity, while the KMT tends toward conservatism and local governance. This difference has created a distinct polarization in the voter structure, with the younger generation and voters with an international perspective tending to support Shen, whereas traditional conservative forces remain Chiang's primary voter base.

It is worth noting that Shen's activities in Tokyo also demonstrated the indirect impact of cross-strait relations. Amidst Beijing's hardline policies toward Taiwan and changes in the international situation, if the Taipei City Government can establish a broader international support network through city diplomacy, it will help enhance Taiwan's visibility and security guarantees in the international community. As one of Taiwan's most important security partners, Japan's support at both the civic and governmental levels holds strategic significance that cannot be underestimated in shaping the international image of a Taipei mayoral candidate.

Overall, Shen's appearance in Tokyo was not only an overseas vote-rallying event, but also a political narrative combining urban governance with international security. As internal polls show the gap narrowing to a single digit, the upcoming campaign will focus more on policy details and the feasibility of transnational cooperation, and voters will make their choices based on the city's future resilience and security layout.