President Ma Ying-jeou on Monday called on Japan to work with Taiwan to ensure the safety of imported Japanese food products. He was speaking during a media reception marking his seventh year in office.
Back in February, Taiwanese authorities discovered a number of imported Japanese food products with falsified place-of-origin labels. Taiwan then enacted new laws on Friday requiring all imported Japanese food products come with proof-of-origin certificates.
Japanese media have raised concerns about the regulations, which are not the first restrictions Taiwan has placed on imported Japanese foods.
Taiwan has banned food imports from five Japanese prefectures since 2011, over radiation concerns stemming from the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
President Ma said that there is no reason for Taiwan to purposefully give Japan a hard time, or to hurt bilateral ties. He said that the most practical way to resolve the issue is for inspectors from both sides to work together. Once the issue is resolved, he said, the restrictions can be lifted.