On May 8, the Irrigation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, held the 83rd Memorial Ceremony for Engineer Yoichi Hatta at Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan. Over 500 Taiwanese and Japanese guests attended, including President Lai, Minister Chen of the Ministry of Agriculture, Tainan Mayor Huang, Legislative Yuan members Kuo, Lai, and Chen, representatives from the Japan Taiwan Exchange Association, the Mayor of Kanazawa City, Hatta’s descendants Shuichi Hatta and his wife and family, as well as Director General Tsai of the Irrigation Agency. Together, they honored the fearless spirit and outstanding engineering achievements demonstrated by Engineer Hatta a century ago.
In his speech, President Lai noted that the waters of Wushantou Reservoir not only fueled the growth of agriculture on the Chianan Plain, but also played a vital role in the industrial and commercial development of Taiwan. From the water we drink and the fruits and vegetables we eat, to the beer we brew, Wushantou’s water has made widespread contributions across the island. He recalled expressing gratitude to Engineer Hatta when he served as Mayor of Tainan, again as Premier of the Executive Yuan, and now, as President of Taiwan, he extends heartfelt thanks on behalf of the people, society, and the country.
Shuichi Hatta, representative of the Hatta family, remarked that Engineer Hatta’s vision in building the Wushantou Reservoir extended not just fifty years into the future, but a full century ahead. The structure continues to serve Taiwan today thanks to generations of engineers at the Chianan Management Office of the Irrigation Agency who have maintained and managed it with dedication. A representative from the Japan Taiwan Exchange Association noted that Japan now upholds the spirit of Engineer Hatta by working hand in hand with Taiwan, striving to further develop and deepen the future of Taiwan Japan partnership.
Chen Junne jih, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the Chianan Irrigation System built by Engineer Hatta not only irrigated farmland but also served as a bridge of friendship between Taiwan and Japan. The ministry will continue to assist in promoting high quality Taiwanese fruits, rice, and agricultural products to Japan. On April 28, 2025, an agricultural office was also established in Japan to enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Minister Chen expressed hope that Taiwan Japan agricultural collaboration will continue to deepen and expand.
Director General Tsai of the Irrigation Agency affirmed that the agency’s core mission is to provide sufficient and high quality irrigation water, and this depends on robust agricultural water infrastructure. The agency will uphold Engineer Hatta’s fearless and pioneering spirit, actively responding to the challenges posed by extreme climate events and environmental changes. By applying modern technology and management methods, the agency aims to enhance the resilience of water supply and ensure that this century old reservoir and irrigation system continue to nourish the Chianan Plain, supporting Taiwan's agricultural growth.