TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The widow of former Japanese Premier Abe Shinzo appeared at the side of Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) Saturday to promote the city’s mangos.

Abe Akie also planted a mango tree to commemorate the Tainan International Mango Festival at Tsou Ma Lan Farm, per CNA. The former premier, who was assassinated at a political rally in July 2022, was a staunch supporter of Taiwan.

Abe Akie was visiting Tainan at the invitation of the mayor, along with a delegation from four cities in Japan looking to deepen relations. Huang hoped the visit would lead to foreign consumers becoming more familiar with mangos from Tainan.

The city is responsible for more than half of Taiwan’s mango production, the mayor said. He added that exchanges should work both ways, with rising exports and more foreign visitors to Tainan.

So far this year, mango production has failed to reach previous levels due to lower temperatures, according to agriculture officials. On average, Tainan produces 167,000 metric tons of mangos per year with a value of NT$8.1 billion (US$273.83 million).

The main export markets include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Macau.