Commentary / Japan Aug 7, 2019
Taiwan's democracy is worth defending
by Shaun O'dwyer
Taiwan's political culture supports rights and freedoms that are under pressure in other liberal democracies and almost extinguished in China.
National / Social Issues Aug 4, 2019
Japan's new labor policy puts labor-short Taiwan on notice
by Ko Shu-Ling
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 ...
National / Politics May 9, 2019
Japan supports Taiwan's bid to attend World Health Assembly in move that could anger China
Foreign Minister Taro Kono expressed support on Wednesday for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly in a move that could anger China. It marks the first time Japan has publicly supported Taiwan's bid to attend the annual meeting of the WHA, the decision-making body ...
Commentary / Japan Feb 21, 2019
Can Japan balance its ties with China and Taiwan?
by Frank Ching
Japan can't ignore the reality of rising China, but it will also need to keep its neighbor in check.
National / Politics Dec 25, 2018
Taiwan and Japan to hold maritime cooperation talks in Tokyo this week
Taiwan and Japan are scheduled to hold a third round of talks in Tokyo this week to discuss maritime cooperation, including fishing near Okinotorishima island — regarded by Japan as its southernmost territory. Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said recently that the two-day ...
National / Politics Nov 27, 2018
Taiwan and Japan to hold trade talks in shadow of vote to keep post-Fukushima food ban
Taiwan and Japan will hold annual trade talks in Taipei this week, coming after a weekend referendum in the former that could have a negative impact on bilateral relations. Sources familiar with the two-day talks from Thursday say that both sides are planning to sign ...
National Nov 10, 2018
Japanese business group decries Taiwan's continued ban on Japanese food imports in wake of 3/11
The Japanese business community in Taipei on Friday lamented over Taiwan's continued ban on food imports from five Japanese prefectures imposed in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. In its annual white paper, the Taipei branch of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and ...
Asia Pacific / Politics Sep 14, 2018
Taiwan's midterm elections, biggest ever, key test for ruling, opposition parties
by Ko Shu-Ling
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 ...
Asia Pacific / Politics | ANALYSIS Sep 14, 2018
Taiwan courts security ties with bigger friends such as Japan, India as Beijing snatches allies
by Greg Torode and Jess Macy Yu
As Beijing intensifies its effort to further isolate Taiwan diplomatically, Taipei is actively but discreetly broadening security ties with regional powers beyond its long-standing relationship with the United States. From efforts to share intelligence on China's military with India and the prospect of engaging Japanese ...
National Jun 22, 2018
Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui travels to Okinawa for World War II memorial event
Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui embarked on a four-day trip to Okinawa Prefecture on Friday to pay tribute to Taiwanese killed in the 1945 battle on the island. Lee's office said the former president, who is visiting at the invitation of the Japan-Taiwan Peace Foundation, ...
National / History May 2, 2018
Memories preserved of Japanese born in Taiwan during colonial rule
by Ko Shu-Ling
Japanese who lived in Taiwan during a 50-year period of colonial rule ultimately weren't given a choice after the end of World War II: They were forced to repatriate to a country many hadn't stepped foot in for decades, if ever. Altogether, over 300,000 returned ...
National / Politics Mar 18, 2018
Japan-Taiwan talks on fishing near Senkakus end with some progress
A Japan-Taiwan joint fishery committee has agreed to amend current regulations regarding fishing in waters around a cluster of Taiwan-claimed, Japan-administered islands in the East China Sea at least for this year's fishing season starting next month, according to Taiwan's Foreign Ministry. The ministry said ...