Japan's representative in Taiwan expresses disappointment over plan to press ahead with referendum on food ban

Japan's de facto ambassador to Taiwan voiced disappointment Wednesday over plans by Taipei to hold a referendum next month on whether to maintain a ban on food products from five Japanese prefectures, which was imposed in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

"While the referendum ... has not changed my feelings toward Taiwan, I cannot help but feel disappointed over such an unexpected outcome," Mikio Numata, the head of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's office in Taipei, said in a statement.

Numata was referring to the Central Election Commission's decision Tuesday to hold the referendum, initiated by the main opposition Nationalist Party (KMT), on Nov. 24 during local elections for mayors and councilors of municipalities, counties and townships.