Taiwan, with eye on joining CPTPP, could lift ban on Japanese food imports

Taiwan looks set to lift a longstanding ban on imports of food products from five Japanese prefectures as it seeks to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

- Katherine Wei

The Cabinet and other ruling party lawmakers met last Monday to discuss the possibility of allowing imports from Fukushima, Gunma, Chiba, Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures. The ban was imposed following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. It is likely that the government wants to resolve the issue early this year, said Professor Lee Shui-hui, who teaches Japanese politics and economics at National Chengchi University’s College of International Affairs. He noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of friendly but unofficial ties between the two sides.

Taipei’s pending application to join the CPTPP, in which Japan holds a leading role, “is also key in Taiwan’s plans to remove its food import ban”, said the professor.