Japan tuna town deepens Taiwan ties with sea goddess, eyes tourism boost

AOMORI, Japan - The fishing town of Oma in northeastern Japan, famous for its branded tuna, has been deepening its ties with a Taiwanese temple through their shared reverence for the Taoist sea goddess Mazu, with hopes of attracting overseas tourists as well.

The goddess, also spelt Matsu in Taiwan and known as Maso or Tempi in Japan, has been worshipped in Oma for over 300 years as the protector of fishermen and seafarers. It has been jointly enshrined at a local Shinto shrine since the Meiji era (1868-1912), forming a unique faith in which Japanese culture and a foreign deity coexist.