Taiwan has further eased its import restrictions on foods from five Japanese prefectures, thereby enabling the importation of all Japanese food products to Taiwan under general conditions. This relaxation includes products such as mushrooms, game meat, and koshiabura (a type of mountain vegetable) from Fukushima, as well as from the nearby prefectures of Chiba, Gunma, Ibaraki, and Tochigi. Despite this easing, the requirement for inspection reports on radioactive materials and certificates of origin for these products remains in place.
Additionally, Taiwan has lifted the need for radioactive material inspection reports for fishery products from Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, along with tea from Shizuoka Prefecture. This change marks a significant shift from Taiwan's previously more stringent import restrictions compared to other economies. The Taiwanese health authority has cited the basis of this adjustment on scientific evidence and international standards.
The decision to ease these restrictions was initially announced in July, following a 60-day public consultation period, with the changes coming into effect recently. This move is part of Taiwan's broader strategy to support the recovery of regions affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and to facilitate its bid to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, which counts Japan among its members. The Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tetsushi Sakamoto, has acknowledged Taiwan's decision as a supportive gesture towards the reconstruction of disaster-impacted areas.
Source: The Japan Times