The China Post
Date: March 26, 2017
By: news staff

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Japan’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Jiro

Japan’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Jiro Akama, third from left, and Chiou I-jen, chairman of the Association of East Asian Relations, second right, attend the Colorful Japan event in Taipei on Saturday, March 25. Akama is the highest-level Japanese official to visit Taiwan since the two countries severed diplomatic ties in 1972. (CNA)

Akama arrived in Taiwan Saturday, the highest-ranking government official to visit the island since the severing of diplomatic ties between Taipei and Tokyo in 1972.

Speaking at the Colorful Japan event in Taipei, Akama called on President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration to lift a ban on imports of food from prefectures affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Akama said the products had already been cleared as safe for consumption in Japan.

The government has faced intense pressure from civic groups and the opposition Kuomintang over the possible easing of the ban. Public hearings on the issue drew large protests around the island.    [FULL  STORY]