Rakuten under fire for cheerleaders performing on US tourist visa waiver

Rakuten under fire for cheerleaders performing on US tourist visa waiver

2025-10-14

Eight members of the Rakuten Girls were invited to perform at three MLB Taiwan Days in the US back in August this year. Now, a bombshell revelation has accused the cheerleaders of possibly toeing US immigration laws. The group had traveled to the US on a visa waiver program but all their public appearances there were paid events. Rakuten has come out to defend the cheerleaders, saying that they did not receive any payment and therefore did not work illegally as tourists.

They cheer each other on before entering the baseball field. This was at the end of August earlier this year, when the Rakuten Girls were invited to perform at the Taiwan Days of three MLB teams in the US. Now, a bombshell revelation is accusing the cheerleaders’ work as illegal.

The allegations claim that the eight Rakuten Girls travelled to the US on a visa waiver program that only allows tourist activities. However, the Taiwan Days as well as meet-and-greet events hosted by the Taiwanese community in the US were all paid events. If they had received compensation for these events, the eight cheerleaders would then have violated US immigration laws and could be banned from entering the US for life.

Their performances at the home stadiums of the Athletics, the Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates were well-received by the audience. Now that the allegations threaten to tarnish their reputation, Rakuten has come out to clarify that the cheerleaders, though hosted by Taiwan’s business communities in the US, did not receive any financial compensation, and therefore they did not in any way violate immigration laws.

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#rakutenmonkeys #cpbl #mlb #baseball #cheerleaders #rakutengirls #immigration

樂天女孩赴美持"旅遊簽證"商演? 球團:全程沒收費

2025-10-14

樂天桃猿8名啦啦隊女孩，八月底時前往美國，參加大聯盟「台灣日」演出，如今卻被爆出簽證有問題，表示她們拿的旅遊簽證，卻從事商演行為，已經踩到美國移民法紅線，最嚴重終身不得入境。對此，樂天球團回應，樂天女孩是以嘉賓身分獲邀，進行文化交流，全程沒有收費一切合規。

上場前，互相加油打氣，難掩興奮緊張心情，今年八月底，樂天女孩們受邀在大聯盟台灣日表演，但如今卻被人爆料，他們這趟美國表演之旅，簽證有問題。

爆料內容指出，八位樂天女孩到拿的是ESTA旅遊簽證，但活動現場卻是收費表演、而且還參加僑胞舉辦的簽名、合照會，部分活動有收費，一但違規踩到美國移民法的紅線，最嚴重可能是終身不能入境美國。

她們這一趟遠征美國，分別現身在運動家、國民、海盜隊主場隊的「台灣日」活動，濃濃的台灣味，也掀起全場高潮。針對質疑，樂天發出聲明，表示啦啦隊美國行，是受到當地台商協會及台商商會邀請，以嘉賓身分進行文化交流，全程未收取報酬，也不是商業演出，所有海外行程，皆依據當地法規合法辦理，沒有違法疑慮。

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Guangfu residents wary of signing document delineating disaster zone

Three weeks after the Guangfu flooding, another controversy has erupted over the Hualien County Government. This time, it’s their method of documenting residences in the disaster zone. Some locals were wary of signing the document after noticing the date “Sept. 21” on it. The date refers to the day when evacuation notices were supposedly issued to residents in the area, two days before the flash flood. The central government is now asking Hualien to get rid of the date on the forms, and make it clear that they only want to compile a list of residences that were affected, and could be affected again.

- That’s not right. That would be forgery. Why does it say Sept. 21?

An official hands a local resident of Guangfu a document to sign. It lists residents in the area affected by the flood. She’s instructed to confirm that her household had evacuated vertically on-site. But it appears that the record should have been completed before Typhoon Ragasa struck.

- How am I supposed to know? I was ordered to sort this out.
- Well, what day is it? The 13th! It’s already Oct. 13!

The local official says he’s only following orders. However, the resident refused to sign her name, believing that complying would amount to document forgery.

Ms. Tseng
Asked to sign resident info
He wanted us to sign the document retroactively, so of course we have our doubts. It also happens at a time when the county government appears to have lower-down officials cover up for their mismanagement, so of course we’d be protective of ourselves.

Ms. Shih
Guangfu resident
She wanted us to sign it, but the date is incorrect, because at the time, the county government did not ask us to evacuate. We’re all so exhausted, so why are they still doing this kind of survey?

Locals are furious because they thought that they were asked to cover up for the county government’s inefficiency, having to sign a document for an event from three weeks ago. The local official, under the occasion of making records for residents with chronic diseases, had them sign this document too.

Chen Chien-chun
Hualien County Government
It’s certainly not as the rumors circulating online claiming that it retroactively applies to the day of Sept. 21, and certainly not a case of forgery as some accused.

Chi Lian-cheng
Central Disaster Response Center coordinator
In that case, get rid of any mention of “Sept. 21.” Make it clear that it’s to delineate the updated warning zone.

With many people unable to trust the county government, the disaster response coordinator for the central government is asking Hualien officials to get rid of any wording that could become a point of legal contention.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2025-10-14

‘Drowning on land’ Soldiers undergo hellish training

Today we’ll take you to the hellish training undergone by trainees in the military’s Navy Underwater Operations Unit. These real-life Aquamen have to undergo a grueling three months of exercises. In one exercise, known as “drowning on land,” they have to try to function when their eyes and noses are filled with water. Let’s find out more.

While wearing diving masks full of water, these men don’t only have to find a way to breathe through their mouths, but also have to talk while they are moving their bodies.

They even have to withstand attacks from water jets. In their training course, this is an exercise known as “drowning on land.”

Huang Yueh-yang
Trainee
When we have to breathe and do these movements at the same time, we end up choking on water as it gets in our noses and mouths, which feels really uncomfortable.

They dive into water, simulating possible emergencies involving ocean currents or marine life. They also learn how to recover equipment if it falls off and even how to save themselves if they become entangled in fishing nets.

Hu Ming-che
Trainer
During the diving process, if they accidentally get entangled, we teach them things. Maybe they can try to remove it by themselves at first. Then if it can’t be removed, then what signals should they use to alert their partners that they are entangled and need help.

After three months of solid training, the men are welcoming the course’s end.

The men are randomly tested in the subjects they’ve been trained in. If they pass, they are awarded the highest symbol of honor, the “Golden Dragon Badge.”

Hsu Chih-wen
Trainee
This dragon badge represents truly the most painful and hardest-working three months of my life. They were also the happiest and most joyful.

Huang Yueh-yang
Trainee
I feel the dragon badge is very painful, but my experience over the past three months brought in the happiest results.

Having fully completed their training, these men will continue to receive even more specialized training in the future, and become an indispensable part of the Taiwanese military’s Navy Underwater Operations Unit.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Taiwanmiiltary #Taiwannavy #navytraining #Taiwan #navy

2025-10-14

Animal shelter designs Taiwan’s first green bird-safe building

Nearly 10% of birds rescued in Taiwan last year were injured from flying into glass windows, according to New Taipei’s Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office. The Ruifang Animal Shelter is the first green building in Taiwan to incorporate a bird-safe design by using dotted window decals to help birds recognize the glass as an obstacle to avoid.

Birds passing by this building all fly around or over it. None of them collide with the glass windows. That’s because there are small, white dots spaced five centimeters apart on all the windows. These dots help birds recognize the glass as an obstacle, rather than mistaking the reflection for continuous open space.

Hsieh Chi-heng
Bird-glass collision reporter
This is the bird that most often hits glass, the Taiwan barbet, a species endemic to Taiwan. It takes up 20% of our database about bird-glass collisions. These are birds we often see in urban Sanxia, like the light-vented bulbul, Swinhoe’s white eye, and Eurasian tree sparrow, which are also often victims found beneath glass windows.

This is the first green building in Taiwan with windows designed to prevent bird-glass collisions, built here in New Taipei’s Ruifang District. Last year there were 1,440 bird rescue cases, 9% of which involved bird-glass collisions, according to data from the Animal Protection Office. This green building has 142 glass windows that enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. All windows are patterned with small white dots so that birds can recognize them as an obstacle, while still allowing light to pass through.

Tsai Tai-hua
Raptor research group secretary-general
Overall, Taiwan is 50 years behind countries in Europe and America. Now that Taiwan finally has its first green building that incorporates anti-collision windows, it’s a great start.

Liu Shu-fen
Agricultural Bureau deputy director
There are 142 glass panels. We need to prevent birds from colliding with the glass when looking for food and causing casualties.

The Ruifang Animal Shelter marks an important start for Taiwan in designing green, bird-safe buildings. In addition to caring for stray animals, it’s also important to make sure the wild birds that call our skies home can live safely.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#animalshelter #NewTaipei #greenbuilding #Ruifang #birdglasscollision #windows #collisions #birds #birdsafe #anticollision

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NMH Exhibition reimagines timeless masterpieces through modern design

To mark its 70th anniversary, the National Museum of History is hosting a special exhibition that showcases how timeless masterpieces from its collection have been transformed into modern cultural and creative designs. FTV’s Stephany Yang takes us inside for a look!

The first section of the exhibition highlights fashion designers who have reimagined classic pieces from the museum’s collection into stylish contemporary creations. Notable examples include a long Chinese silk embroidered banner depicting the First Theater from the Japanese colonial era and a carved stone trough—both transformed into elegant fashion pieces.

Huang Yin-zhe
Curator
The museum invited young fashion designers to create twelve outfits inspired by twelve items from our collection. Behind me are three of the fashion designs, each incorporating elements from our collection. In particular, this outfit draws from a Chinese silk embroidered banner of the First Theater, a promotional piece from over a century ago during the Japanese colonial era. It originated from the Yongle Theater in Dadaocheng, which used such banners for advertising. We used this imagery and invited young designers to reinterpret this classic artifact from their own perspectives. While designers may initially focus on the visual aspects, the museum provides not only visual references but also insights into the deeper meanings and cultural significance behind these images and artifacts. In contemporary creative work, storytelling plays a crucial role in shaping the story behind each piece.

The exhibition is divided into six sections, each highlighting how the museum’s classic treasures have sparked fresh interpretations in modern design. The featured collections span historical artifacts, traditional handicrafts, and contemporary artworks. Many of these pieces have been reimagined as everyday objects such as home décor, fashion accessories, and multimedia installations. One standout example is a long Chinese silk embroidered banner adorned with birds and flowers—a highly prized embroidery from the Qing dynasty that has been transformed into different handicrafts.

Huang Yin-zhe
Curator
As you can see, the piece is very long—nearly five meters. It dates back over a hundred years to the Qing Dynasty and was typically displayed in the homes of wealthy families. The motifs feature many symbols of prosperity and good fortune. Many people are curious about the original artifacts behind commonly seen images on products. That’s why, for this exhibition, we’ve specially curated twelve items from our collection. These twelve artifacts are frequently referenced in visual culture, yet the originals are rarely seen. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to showcase them.

In celebration of its 70th anniversary, the National Museum of History presents a special exhibition that reimagines its timeless masterpieces as contemporary cultural and creative works. This showcase not only pays tribute to the museum’s rich heritage but also envisions innovative applications and sustainable value for the future.

Huang Yin-zhe
Curator
One of the key concepts in this exhibition is “licensing.” All of our cultural and creative derivative products are developed through authorized licensing. According to copyright law, a creator’s work enters the public domain 50 years after their death. If a museum owns the original work, it can produce high-quality photographs and make them available to the public and designers for creative use. In 2026, the museum will be able to license Liao Chi-chun’s paintings. The exhibition is built around three core principles: cross-disciplinary co-creation, brand licensing, and sustainable value. The goal is to reinterpret traditional museum artifacts in fresh ways that bring them into everyday life, helping the public connect more closely with cultural heritage.

The Classics Reimagined: Inspirations From the NMH Collection exhibition runs until November 9 at the National Museum of History.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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