November 20, 2014
Press Release No. 251
Relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Japan took a significant step forward on November 20, 2014, at the Ambassador Hotel in Taipei, where Chairman of the Taipei-based Association of East Asian Relations, Lee Chia-chin, and Chairman of Japan’s Interchange Association, Mitsuo Ohashi, signed four memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on cooperation in the fields of tourism, nuclear and radiation safety regulation, the deposit of microorganisms for the purposes of patent procedure, and the exchange of information for the purposes of border control.
Tourism between Taiwan and Japan has increased greatly in recent years, with a record 3.76 million trips made last year. To maintain growth in this industry, the two nations agreed to sign a tourism MOU based on the spirit of equality, reciprocity, and friendship. The MOU will see Taiwan and Japan share their tourism development experiences and related information, as well as regularly exchange ideas. The aim is to enhance practical cooperation between the two countries’ tourism authorities and expand bilateral tourism.
Since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster of March 11, 2011, all countries with nuclear power have introduced measures to reinforce nuclear safety on the one hand, while stressing the need for international cooperation and information sharing on the other. As such, the nuclear safety MOU will act as a bridge for the sharing of information between Taiwan and Japan on related control technologies, enabling both sides to share their experience in enhancing nuclear and radiation safety in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.
Following the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Memorandum of Cooperation and the Memorandum of Understanding for Mutual Cooperation in the Field of Priority Document Exchange signed between Taiwan and Japan in 2012 and 2013, respectively, the MOU on microorganism patents will further strengthen cooperation on intellectual property rights. As Taiwan is not yet party to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, this MOU will help reduce the need for Taiwan applicants looking to secure patents outside Taiwan to make repeat deposits. Moreover, the fact that Japan recognizes that Taiwan’s depositary authority conforms to international standards will help Taiwan expand its cooperation, and potentially sign related bilateral arrangements, with a succession of other countries in the future. This would, in effect, equate to Taiwan becoming a signatory of the Budapest Treaty.
Cooperation on border control is becoming increasingly important in light of the growing frequency of Taiwan-Japan exchanges. The Republic of China is the first country to have signed an MOU of this kind with Japan. It provides the legal basis on which both sides can enhance cooperation on border control as well as on combating cross-border crimes, and therefore build an even closer partnership.
Taiwan’s relations with Japan were designated as a “special partnership” after President Ma Ying-jeou took office. The two sides have signed 38 agreements or MOUs since 1972, covering financial supervision, trade and investment, fisheries, ecommerce, pharmaceutical regulation, transportation, environmental protection, and marine search and rescue following air accidents, among others.
The four new MOUs will not only strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in terms of tourism, nuclear energy, intellectual property, and immigration, but will also boost Taiwan-Japan ties in general. (E)