KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — A small Japanese rice ball shop in southern Taiwan has become the center of a community rallying effort after a contentious rental dispute threatened its existence. Kaohsiung city officials stepped forward Monday (April 21) with an unusual offer: space in the government center's cafeteria should the beloved establishment need to relocate from its location near the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (高雄美術館), a prominent cultural institution in Taiwan's second-largest city.
The shop's owners, Higuchi Kazuo (樋口和), a Japanese national, and his Taiwanese spouse, established their modest culinary venture on Qinghai Road in Gushan District (鼓山區) following their return from Japan. Their mission to share authentic Japanese cuisine with local residents hit a significant obstacle when their landlord substantially raised the rent and subsequently vandalized exterior shop fixtures during the escalating disagreement. News of the conflict has triggered an outpouring of community support, with customers flocking to purchase the shop's signature rice balls in solidarity.
Local elected officials have joined the groundswell of support for the embattled business. Kaohsiung City Councilor Chien Huan-tsung (簡煥宗) emphasized the shop's civic contributions, particularly noting its donation of rice balls during typhoon emergency response efforts. The establishment has attracted backing from prominent community members, including Kaohsiung resident Chuang Chin-hsun (莊晉勳), who placed a substantial order of 50 rice balls for his daughter's ceremonial event. Taiwan's national Legislator Huang Chieh (黃捷) made a personal visit to offer encouragement, describing the culinary offerings as "very delicious."
The Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (高雄捷運公司), the city's metro system operator, has extended its own relocation offer, inviting the proprietors to consider space within its station retail areas. Transit officials, who reached out to the shop owners the previous day and organized tours of potential sites, highlighted how the portable nature of rice balls makes them ideal for transit passengers. The corporation underscored that while they hope to assist the business, they fully respect whatever decision the owners ultimately make, noting their gesture also aims to strengthen cultural ties between Japan and Taiwan. ★