TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) toured Japan's Belluna Dome (西武巨蛋) on Monday (April 14), seeking architectural and operational insights for the planned New Taipei Dome project. City officials envision a distinctive facility that would blend cutting-edge stadium design elements with Taiwan's passionate baseball traditions.
The delegation, which included councilors from multiple political parties, scrutinized the stadium's architectural elements and studied how the Social Welfare Corporation Zenkoukai (善光會), a Japanese social service organization, incorporates technology to create senior-friendly spaces and pioneering elderly care programs within the facility.
The Belluna Dome visit follows the delegation's tour of Tokyo Dome (東京巨蛋) on Sunday. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Councilor Cheng Yu-en (鄭宇恩) highlighted Tokyo Dome's versatile space allocation: one-third for professional baseball, one-third for entertainment events, and one-third for other sporting activities. Cheng advocated adopting this mixed-use approach for the New Taipei project, citing the substantial market of 10 million residents in northern Taiwan.
Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Councilor Lin Chin-chieh (林金結), representing Taiwan's main opposition party, expressed admiration for the Japanese hosts' determination and energy during their interactions. Lin envisions the proposed dome as "Taiwan's invitation to the world" — not merely a venue for sports and concerts but a platform fostering international exchange and enhancing New Taipei's global brand identity.
Lin further emphasized that New Taipei requires its own international-caliber venue despite neighboring Taipei City's existing dome facility. The councilor outlined the proposed dome's multifaceted potential for hosting global concerts, athletic competitions, and cultural showcases, framing the project as a strategic investment in regional economic development, tourism infrastructure, and municipal branding. ★