Kaohsiung Rallies Behind Japanese Onigiri Vendor in Landlord Dispute

Taiwanese Kindness Shines as City Offers Support to Japanese Rice Ball Shop After Storefront Damage.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan – Following a public outcry, the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp. (KRTC) has extended an offer to a Japanese onigiri vendor and his Taiwanese wife, inviting them to set up shop in one of the city's metro stations. This supportive gesture comes in the wake of a viral video depicting their landlord damaging items outside their storefront, sparking widespread sympathy.

KRTC announced it contacted the couple and arranged a visit to Zuoying, Kaohsiung Main, and Formosa Boulevard stations to assess potential stall locations. The company framed its action as a demonstration of the "friendship and support between Taiwan and Japan."

Concurrently, Chang Yen-ching (張硯卿), head of the Kaohsiung City Department of Administrative and International Affairs, revealed the city's offer of a spot in the administrative center's cafeteria if the couple is interested.

The shop, located in Gushan District, is operated by a 60-year-old Japanese man, identified as Higuchi, and his Taiwanese wife. The incident, captured on camera, showed the landlord destroying items outside the shop on Friday, prompting a wave of public support.

Chang (Higuchi’s wife) told reporters that her husband was deeply touched by the community's response, which included long lines of customers eager to buy their rice balls and a flood of encouraging messages on social media.

The couple is actively seeking a new business location and is currently navigating court proceedings related to the dispute. They have reported the incident caused emotional stress and business disruption.

According to the Kaohsiung City Police Department, the altercation involved the 62-year-old tenant, Chang, and the 59-year-old landlord, surnamed Shao (邵), who alleged the shopkeeper had placed items in unauthorized areas and filed a theft complaint.

In response, the couple filed a countersuit for property damage and a minor injury allegedly sustained when the landlord kicked a chair that hit Higuchi.

“Ms. Shao is suspected of having been emotionally agitated, pushing over tables, chairs, flower pots, and other items,” the police stated.

On Monday, Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Huang Jie (黃捷) visited the store to express her solidarity, later posting on Facebook that the shop exemplified the "sincerity of Taiwan-Japan friendship."