From: http://www.skis.com.tw/kuokai/Plan.aspx

After 46 hours journey with hardship, they went across the most dangerous and fastest Kuroshio, arriving at Kubura port in Yonaguni-jima around 11:48 am, on July 9th, proving that human beings had the ability to go across Kuroshio from Taiwan to Okinawa, thirty thousand years from now.

On the afternoon of the 7th of July, five crews, including Taiwanese and Japanese rowers, rowed a replica canoe, setting off from Wushihbi Port in Taitung County’s Changbin Township. With no further help, the canoe traveled to the westernmost side of Japan, Yonaguni Island. After a grueling 46-hour-journey, crossing the dangerous and treacherous waters of Kuroshio, they arrived at Kubura port in Yonaguni Island. This therefore supports the hypothesis that human beings were able to achieve such an extraordinary feat 30,000 years ago.

An internationally renowned anthropologist, also an authority in ancient history, Professor Yousuke Kaifu, Chief of Department of Anthropology Study at Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science, has conducted a series of research projects regarding human migration footprints over the ages. According to multiple sources, ancient settlers from Taiwan were said to have traveled from Taiwan to the Ryukyu Islands on primitive wooden vessels during the Paleolithic era, crossing the Kuroshio and migrating to Yonaguni Island around 30,000 years ago. Eventually, they traveled to Ishigaki with the intention to travel beyond, directly heading north towards today’s Japan successfully.

In order to prove the hypothesis, Professor Kaifu initiated a joint-project between Taiwan’s National Museum of Prehistory and Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science, which was to recreate the human movement of the day. Without any assistance from modern technology, five crewsdeparted from Taiwan on a replica canoe and aimed to sail to Yonaguni Island by crossing the Kuroshio.

Shinkong Securities has sponsored the project from the very beginning, promoting TV programs and advertisements to draw the attention of the international community on this event. In recoginition of this success, we would like to deliver our sincere thanks to Professor Yousuke Kaifu and the teams from Taiwan’s National Museum of Prehistory and Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science. Owing to their efforts, the project broadens our vision in the field of human progression, whilst enriching our understanding of ancient history.