Taiwan and Japan agree on a partnership to exchange border-related data.
Japan and Taiwan Sign Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement
Japan and Taiwan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote information exchanges and cooperation on border management. The agreement, titled the "Memorandum of Cooperation Between the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Regarding Information Sharing on Immigration Matters," was signed on December 18, 2021.
Under the MOU, Japan will receive information on foreign nationals seeking to enter the nation from Taiwan. This measure is intended to enhance Japan's ability to screen individuals, particularly non-Japanese nationals, in an effective manner to prevent any security threats such as espionage or terrorism, especially in the context of potential emergencies involving Taiwan.
The agreement involves pre-departure screening at Taiwanese airports, a control measure applicable even during non-emergency situations, thereby strengthening border security. This measure enables Tokyo to effectively screen those who might harm domestic security in the event of an emergency.
The MOU was signed by liaison organizations—the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (Japan’s de facto embassy in Taiwan) and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, Taiwan’s counterpart. This highlights the technical and diplomatic channels involved in the agreement.
While both sides have clarified that the MOU is not specifically designed to address a so-called “Taiwan contingency” scenario like a Chinese invasion, Japanese media and sources often link the agreement’s urgency and rationale to such potential crises. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry stressed that Taiwan does not unilaterally provide immigration data and viewed the memorandum as part of strengthening bilateral cooperation in immigration management.
Due to the sensitive nature of the agreement, Japan’s side has requested the memorandum’s content be kept confidential, so detailed provisions beyond those reported publicly have not been disclosed. This MOU marks a rare level of immigration information sharing between Japan and Taiwan, especially concerning non-allied arrangements, reflecting rising security concerns regarding infiltration risks during emergencies.
Taiwan's Ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei stated that the agreement is significant due to the deep friendship and frequent people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. It is unusual for Tokyo to have such a pact with a non-diplomatic ally. The aim of sharing such information is to prevent Chinese spies from entering Japan during chaotic situations like an emergency or a Chinese invasion. The Japanese Immigration Services Agency has signed similar pacts with nations such as Australia and New Zealand. The NIA has a list of 23 nations with which Taiwan has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on immigration and border control affairs.
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