Taiwan's government Friday declared Japanese cartoonist Yoshinori Kobayashi persona non grata, saying his book "Taiwan Discourse," which portrays Japan's colonial rule of the island in a positive light, violates national pride and damages Taiwan's interests.
"We have decided to prohibit Mr. Yoshinori Kobayashi from entering the country," the Interior Ministry said.
"The views and attitudes propagated in the cartoon book 'Taiwan Discourse' have touched off massive criticism among our public. They go against our nation's moral concern for the former 'comfort women,' have damaged our national and ethnic pride, and international opinion," the ministry said in a statement.
A spokesman for the Immigration Bureau said the ban, which is not limited in duration, is subject to review if Kobayashi displays some "good will," but he did not elaborate.