The "2023 GPS Run for LOVE" campaign was started by Japanese runner Shimizu Naoki and bicycle follow-up record photographer Masuo Keiryou as a way to offer gratitude to Taiwan for its support following the 311 earthquakes in Japan. The deep affinity between Taiwan and Japan is embodied in the word LOVE.
To show his appreciation for Taiwan, a Japanese GPS artist, Shimizu Naoki runs around the island.Photo reproduced from 魏嘉彥 Facebook
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When Shimizu Naoki visited Hualien in 2018, he ran the GPS track in support of the earthquake victims. To create the letter O on a map, Shimizu Naoki plans to jog the entire island in 24 days while tracking his route on a GPS. It's the second letter in a run that forms the word "love." In certain Japanese cities, the other three letters—L, V, and E—were drawn in three runs.
To show his appreciation for Taiwan, a Japanese GPS artist, Shimizu Naoki runs around the island.Photo reproduced from 魏嘉彥 Facebook
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Running, according to Shimizu Naoki, is the finest representation of his existence in this world. He wants to let people know that running is a joyful activity in addition to expressing his thanks to Taiwan via the landscape art that the road running creates.
To show his appreciation for Taiwan, a Japanese GPS artist, Shimizu Naoki runs around the island.Photo reproduced from 魏嘉彥 Facebook
Additionally, Shimizu Naoki returned to Taiwan for a road run and was very affected to see so many Taiwanese people supporting and accompanying him. He thinks that this event would not only strengthen the close ties of friendship between Taiwan and Japan, but also opens new era of sports tourism.
