Spotlight on lawyer and activist, Robin J. Winkler

Spotlight on lawyer and activist, Robin J. Winkler

2026-04-16

Today we introduce you to lawyer Robin J. Winkler, who has called Taiwan home for nearly four decades. Beyond his dedication to environmental causes and legal reform, Winkler also ventured into entrepreneurship by co-founding a restaurant. FTV reporter Stephany Yang sat down with him to explore his passions and the journey that brought him here.

Not long after settling in Taiwan, Winkler established the Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association, a nonprofit devoted to ecological and environmental protection. Aside from environmentalism, he also co-founded Winkler Partners in 2002. The law firm is the first Taiwanese law firm to form a partnership with foreign attorneys.

Robin J. Winkler
Lawyer and environmentalist
I am a lawyer and I do mostly environmental related law right now through an organization called Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association. I founded a couple of law firms in Taiwan. One that still continues to operate today is called Winkler Partners. I came here originally in 1977 after graduating from university in Sinology and Asian Studies, with a focus on China and Chinese language and culture. At that time, Taiwan was the place to come for advanced studies. I came here and I really liked the place and kept coming back. Finally, I graduated from law school in 1982 or 1983. I can’t remember but I then came back and have been in Taiwan ever since.

Among the causes he champions is the survival of the Taiwanese pink dolphin, a critically endangered subspecies of humpback dolphin found only along Taiwan’s west coast. With fewer than 100 dolphins left, they are considered one of the world’s most endangered cetaceans. Winkler has become a prominent voice in safeguarding their future.

Robin J. Winkler
Lawyer and environmentalist
The conservation of the Taiwanese Pink Dolphins, which resides along our west coast from about Taoyuan down to Tainan. It is critically endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The numbers are declining, and it faces threats from pollution, loss of habitat, and fishing, as well as fishnet entanglements.

Winkler, alongside his partners, also founded a restaurant. The restaurant has earned numerous awards for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Its mission is to support the land, empower farmers, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Robin J. Winkler
Lawyer and environmentalist
A platform for Taiwan’s diversity, small farmers, and land issues, so it was meant to be sort of a an activist restaurant.

In 2003, he gave up his US citizenship to become a naturalized Taiwanese, in hopes of carrying out environmental and legal activities in Taiwan. For nearly four decades, Winkler has been a prominent figure in both law and activism, bridging international perspectives with local issues.

Robin J. Winkler
Lawyer and environmentalist
Working a lot on natural gas projects and energy-related initiatives, including solar and wind energy, because their sighting is often not ideal. Those will definitely continue. New projects. My own interest is really in social enterprises. I think the environmental and social justice movement needs to find a way to fund itself other than through donations or accepting projects from government agencies.

His new goals include blending environmental activism with social entrepreneurship. He is not only focused on energy projects like solar and wind but also on building sustainable enterprises.

Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Lawyer #Environmentalist #RobinJWinkler #Interview

守護台灣! 環保律師文魯彬專訪

2026-04-16

今天我們要為大家介紹律師文魯彬，他已在台灣生活了近四十年。除了致力於環保事業和法律改革之外，還與人合夥創辦了一家餐廳。一起來看看記者帶來的專訪，聽聽他的興趣以及來到台灣的歷程。

定居台灣不久後，文魯彬創立了"台灣蠻野心足生態協會"，這是一個致力於生態環境保護的非營利機構。除了環保，他還在2002年與他人共同創立了"博仲法律事務所，台灣第一家由台灣律師及外國律師合夥組成的法律事務所。

[[律師文魯彬]]
"我是一名律師，目前主要透過”台灣蠻野心足生態協會”從事環境法方面的工作。我在台灣創辦了幾家律師事務所，其中一家至今仍在運營，名為”博仲法律事務所”。我最初於1977年，從大學畢業後來到台灣，主攻中國及漢語文化，當時，台灣是深造的熱門之地。我來到這裡後非常喜歡這裡，之後常常回來。最終，我在1982年或1983年，從法學院畢業，之後一直留在台灣"

他所倡導的保育事業之一是臺灣白海豚的生存。台灣白海豚是駝背海豚的亞種，僅分佈於台灣西海岸，目前極度瀕危。由於數量不足百頭，被認為是世界上最瀕危的鯨類動物之一。

[[律師文魯彬]]
"台灣白海豚生活在台灣西海岸，從桃園一直延伸到台南。根據國際自然保護聯盟的評估，臺灣白海豚屬於極度瀕危物種。它們的數量正在減少，面臨污染、棲息地喪失以及過度捕撈和漁網纏繞等威脅"

文魯彬和他的合夥人還創辦了一家餐廳。這家餐廳因其對永續發展和創新的不懈追求而屢獲殊榮。餐廳的使命是保護土地，賦予農民，並為更永續的未來做出貢獻。

[[律師文魯彬]]
"為台灣的多元化、小農和土地問題提供一個平台，因此它原本就是一家具有社會活動意義的餐廳"

文魯彬2003年放棄美國國籍，歸化為中華民國國籍，希望在台灣進行環保與法律活動。近四十年來，文魯彬一直是法律界和維權界的傑出人物，致力於將國際視野與本土議題結合。

[[律師文魯彬]]
"我目前主要致力於天然氣項目和能源相關計劃，包括太陽能和風能，因為它們的選址往往並不理想。這些項目肯定會繼續進行。新專案方面，我個人真正感興趣的是社會企業，我認為環境和社會正義運動需要找到，除了接受捐款或政府機構計畫之外的自籌資金途徑"

文魯彬的新目標包括將環保行動與社會創業結合。他不僅關注太陽能和風能等能源項目，也致力於打造永續發展的企業。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Friends merge interests to create flower studio teahouse in old military village

In the Zuoying Jianye New Village in Kaohsiung, there’s a studio specializing in floral design. But come the weekend, the workshop transforms into a teahouse serving creative desserts alongside beautiful arrangements. Three friends opened it together, combining their interests to create a unique studio that blends Taiwanese tea, Japanese sweets, and botanical design.

Stepping into this vintage shop is like entering a miniature garden, steeped in an elegant stillness. Here, visitors can appreciate beautiful botanical arrangements alongside their afternoon tea.

Japanese pastry shells are filled with red bean paste and decorated with a Korean-style flower, piped by hand to look like a delicate pink rose is blooming on top of the cookie. It’s served with a tea made of flower petal jam and dried rose. All these creative concoctions are handmade by the owner.

Teahouse owner
For the rose petal jam, we let customers steep entire flowers in the jam-infused tea. We collaborate with an organic rose grower in Taichung.

Customer
Likes the flowers
I think it’s very special. You don’t often see flowers served with food and drinks like this. The entire arrangement is beautiful.

Located in Jianye New Village in Kaohsiung’s Zuoying District, every corner of this teahouse was carefully considered by the owner. Even the weathered brick walls outside the vintage wooden windows are enlivened with floral embellishments.

Teahouse owner
We’re three good friends who merged our interests in botanical arrangement and desserts and decided to collaborate. Since this area in Zuoying’s Jianye New Village doesn’t have much foot traffic, we thought about how to entice people to come in.

During the week, floral arranging workshops are taught here. But on the weekend, this old military dependent building transforms into a hidden teahouse, attracting people from far and wide with a love for both plants and desserts.

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

#Kaohsiung #JianyeNewVillage #afternoontea #desserts #floralarranging #flowers #flowertea #Japanesedesserts #hiddengem #botanicaldesign

2026-04-16

Consumers’ Foundation warns of fraudulent appliance repair centers

2026-04-16

Fans seek matchmaking god’s help with buying concert tickets

The State Temple of the Martial God is one of Tainan’s four main temples to the matchmaking god Yue Lao. The deity is already busy tying red marriage threads, but now he has yet another task on his plate—helping people get concert tickets. Fans say that chasing idols is like falling in love. By paying respects to Yue Lao, the god can help tie the red thread of fate between a fan and their idol, enabling them to snag tickets and maybe even meet them. Fans are therefore bringing more than your typical snacks and sweets as offerings. They’re also leaving fan merchandise on the offering table.

The table in front of Yue Lao at Tainan’s State Temple of the Martial God is full of offerings. Aside from your usual biscuits and candy, some idol merchandise has also started appearing.

When the K-pop boyband BTS announced that they’re performing in Kaohsiung in November, fans went to Yue Lao before tickets went on sale in the hopes of getting tickets.

BTS fan
On the form you can write the name of the concert and the band members’ names. It’s more sincere if you write it by hand. Then I’ll prepare instant noodles, chips, and pudding endorsed by the band.

BTS fan
I prayed to Yue Lao when BTS came to Taiwan before and I was able to buy tickets. If you’re an idol fan, you know you need to pray to Yue Lao in order to get tickets. He’ll help us find a good match.

Fans say that chasing idols is like dating. Praying to Yue Lao will help you tie the red string of fate between you and your idol. They also claim you will always be able to get tickets if you pray to Yue Lao, becoming a brand-new service for the matchmaking god. Fans have even invented a new way to pray. Besides clearly writing the idol’s information on a prayer card, it’s best to bring a doll, hand lantern, or products endorsed by them, as well as a layout of the concert venue to clearly explain your wish.

Lin Pei-huo
Temple chair
Wein the serve industry welcome everyone. Take your time making your request. Whatever I want today, I just take it slowly and ask one question at a time. Usually when we pray, we burn joss paper and incense while telling the god what we want.

You usually pray to Yue Lao when looking for love. But now, you can also go to Yue Lao when looking for concert tickets. This new strategy is quickly becoming a mainstay among idol fans.

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

#idols #BTS #concert #concerttickets #YueLao #matchmakinggod #Tainan #StateTempleoftheMartialGod#Kpop #fangirl #religion

2026-04-16

Lemon prices triple as trees still recover from Typhoon Gaemi

2026-04-16

Hotels hire foreign students as quasi migrant workers

Taiwan’s migrant worker population continues to grow, amid a looming labor shortage in many so-called “unskilled” positions. Companies in manufacturing have long employed cheap labor from Southeast Asian countries, and many caregivers are foreign workers. As of February this year, Taiwan had 860,000 migrant workers, more than 70% of whom are Indonesian or Vietnamese. In recent years, even the hospitality sector has been employing international students through vocational programs and university courses, blurring the line between students and migrant workers.

This busboy replenishing the plates at this restaurant in a 5-star hotel is a university student from Indonesia.

The chef making beef noodles fresh to order is also foreign.

Chen Han-yu
Training manager at hotel
Nowadays, many vocational colleges and universities have courses to attract students from Southeast Asia, so there are a lot of international students. As part of the courses, they visit the hotel and have a look around. We also get interns from vocational schools abroad that we have partnerships with.

The hospitality industry and educational institutions have rolled out programs that bring foreign students to work at hotels as quasi migrant workers. These students can be considered part of Taiwan’s migrant worker population, which has grown significantly amid severe labor shortages.

Taiwan had 860,000 migrant workers in February this year, according to the Ministry of Labor. They are mainly from Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. Taiwan ranks third in Asia for total numbers, behind Japan with 2.57 million migrant workers and South Korea with 1.1 million.

Wu Yu-hsun
Eastern Union Interactive
Indonesian migrant workers are mainly employed in nursing and home care. Vietnamese workers mostly work in the manufacturing sector, in production. For migrant workers from the Philippines, it’s the electronics sector, and those from Thailand are mostly in heavy industry and construction.

Businesses rely on migrant workers as a way to cheaply fill in labor gaps in industries from manufacturing to care giving. Now, even the hospitality industry has access to this foreign workforce through educational institutions.

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

#taiwan #migrantworkers #labor #international #新南向

2026-04-16

TSMC unveils covetable annual employee souvenirs

TSMC is the talk of town again, but in this story, it’s not for their chips or market valuation. It’s for the company’s annual employee souvenirs. Being both practical and stylish, the goods are looked forward to by employees and the pre-owned marketplace. This year, TSMC workers get to pick one out of five items, or a NT$2,000 gift card. However, the NT$2,000 is nothing compared to what outsiders are willing to pay for some of the souvenirs, such as this year’s rice cooker, which can fetch as much as $9,000 online. But that’s nothing compared to the asking price for a suitcase last year which was a whopping NT$500,000 at one point, rivaling top luxury brands.

Yeh Wei-hsiang
FTV reporter
TSMC is taking good care of employees, who can choose one out of five practical but stylish goods, or a NT$2,000 gift card. There’s a 28-inch luggage perfect for traveling and a rice cooker. This pair of sneakers is also quite covetable, even if it’s not the same as the CEO’s.

Last December, on TSMC Sports Day, CEO C. C. Wei stole the show with a pair of black-and-white sneakers featuring the TSMC logo.

Last year’s 20-inch suitcase now goes for NT$3,000 to NT$5,000 on pre-owned platforms. For this year’s 28-inch model, some buyers are already willing to pay as much as NT$19,000. This year’s rice cooker features a silicon wafer-inspired steamer rack and TSMC logos on the handles. Buyers are willing to part with NT$9,000 for it. That is despite the fact that the registration period for TSMC employee souvenirs isn’t even over yet.

Member of public
Street interview
I’d choose the rice cooker, because it’s a commemorative edition. You can’t buy it elsewhere.

Member of public
Street interview
I might choose the luggage. We already have a rice cooker at home, so there’s no need for another.

Member of public
Street interview
I often go hiking, so I might go for the sneakers.

Thanks to scarcity, brand value and technology-inspired design, TSMC employee souvenirs are looked forward to every year, by both employees and the pre-owned market.

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

#TSMC #employeebenefits #gifts #souvenirs #hypebeast

2026-04-16

TSMC posts Q1 revenue of NT$1.13 trillion

2026-04-16

Vegetable garden helps fund home for disabled youth

After raising a child with disabilities, one father from Chiayi founded a non-profit organization that provides full-time care for people with disabilities. Moved by his passion, the Chang Yung-fa Charity Foundation donated NT$3 million to build a greenhouse vegetable garden for the organization, helping the people in its care to be more self-sufficient and increasing the organization’s income.

Following the teacher’s instructions, people in red shirts use scissors to cut and harvest vegetables. On the other side of the greenhouse, others carefully plant seedlings in the soil.

This is the Jochuerh Foundation’s greenhouse, and the hard-working people in red shirts all have disabilities. After learning simple skills, they can grow vegetables themselves, becoming more self-sufficient.

Lin Peng-hui
Jochuerh Foundation chair
This is not just a vegetable. It’s a union of benevolence, of great benevolence. Giving these kids healthy food to eat means fewer hospital visits, and that’s truly wonderful.

Lin Peng-hui founded this organization over 20 years ago. He and his wife adopted a son 41 years ago, and later discovered he had cerebral palsy. As they cared for their son, they realized that many families were facing similar struggles, so Lin founded the organization to provide a comfortable residence for children with disabilities. They hire staff split between three shifts to provide care full-time. The Chang Yung-fa Charity Foundation donated NT$3 million to build this greenhouse vegetable garden, showing its support for the organization.

Wu Ching-ming
Chang Yung-fa Charity Foundation chair
We had the opportunity to meet Mr. Lin. I think he has a huge heart, helping these children with disabilities to grow up and continuously caring for them. What he grows here is not just vegetables, but love, hope, and vitality.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County Commissioner
Growing vegetables or farming is a great form of healing and therapy. It helps calm the mind, body, and spirit.

With the vegetable garden, the Jochuerh Foundation saves NT$60,000 every month. As the harvest stabilizes in the future, it can even provide the foundation with additional income. Those in the foundation’s care also gain a healthy, therapeutic new skill by caring for the garden.

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

#vegetable #garden #greenhouse #vegetablegarden #charity #charityfoundation #disabilities #therapy #children #childrenwithdisabilities

2026-04-16