Asia Pacific Dec 8, 2020

Taiwan ban on Japanese food looks set to stay

The measure, in place since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, affects products from five prefectures in eastern Japan.

Asia Pacific / Politics Nov 30, 2019

Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen looks set to win re-election in 2020 presidential poll

Six months ago, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's approval ratings were so low many wondered if she would be nominated to run for re-election in January. Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party suffered a huge defeat in the 2018 local elections, and few gave her much chance against ...

Asia Pacific / Politics | ANALYSIS Nov 15, 2019

As Taiwan's children of democracy come of age, vote will be about more than China

On Jan. 11, Taiwan will elect a new government, its seventh since 1996 when a constitutional amendment gave Taiwanese a say in who would represent them at the highest levels of island politics. If projections hold, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Tsai Ing-wen will be ...

Asia Pacific / Social Issues Aug 6, 2019

Taiwan looks to Japan for solutions to demographic woes

Between 2012 and 2018, Taiwanese authorities closed 594 schools islandwide. They also cut thousands of classes at the remaining schools and reduced the hiring of new teachers. All were steps taken in response to an ongoing fall in enrollments — approximately 100,000 fewer students per ...

National / Social Issues Aug 4, 2019

Japan's new labor policy puts labor-short Taiwan on notice

In April, Japan undertook a policy initiative meant to alleviate problems caused by its rapidly graying population, including labor shortages, rural depopulation and increasing pressure on social services. Key to the policy is a visa plan to bring in more foreign labor over the next ...

Business / Corporate Jan 25, 2019

Taiwanese supplier for Japan's new regional passenger jet plans to deliver essential parts in second quarter

A Taiwanese supplier of components for Japan's new regional passenger jet said Thursday it plans to complete essential work in the second quarter of this year, hoping to bring the aircraft closer to production configuration before its projected entry into service in 2020. A specialist ...

National | FOCUS Nov 26, 2018

Taipei faces tension in ties with Tokyo after Taiwan passes 'political' referendum to maintain food ban

After voters in Taiwan approved Saturday a referendum to maintain a ban on food imports from five Japanese prefectures, imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, concern is stirring about the impact of the result on bilateral relations. About 7.8 million of Taiwan's 19.76 million ...

National / Politics Oct 19, 2018

Upcoming referendum on food imports strains Taiwan's ties with Japan

Taiwan's Central Election Commission formally announced this week that a record nine referendums will be held in conjunction with next month's nationwide local elections, one of which is on whether to maintain a ban imposed on food products from five Japanese prefectures after the ...

Asia Pacific / Politics Sep 14, 2018

Taiwan's midterm elections, biggest ever, key test for ruling, opposition parties

In November, Taiwan will hold its largest election ever, with about 19 million voters, or 83 percent of the population, casting ballots for more than 11,000 officials, including the mayors of Taipei and five other special municipal districts. In addition to mayors of the six ...

National Jul 22, 2018

Taiwan fruit farmer raises funds for Japan flood victims

A Taiwanese farmer held a two-day dragon fruit sale in Taipei over the weekend to raise money for victims of the floods and landslide in western Japan. Lin Ting-tsai, 65, said he harvested 1,380 kg of red dragon fruit at his farm in Yilan County ...