Japanese account for 17.3% of 8.57m visitors to Taiwan in 2025

Japanese account for 17.3% of 8.57m visitors to Taiwan in 2025

2026-04-01

Taiwan welcomed more than eight and a half million travelers last year, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior. Japan ranked first with 1.48 million, followed closely by Hong Kong and Macau, South Korea, and the US. Meanwhile, China has been actively courting travelers from Taiwan. The Taiwan Affairs Office even said it would build a round the island high-speed rail after unification. The promise, however, was met with derision online.

The Taoyuan airport is a bustling hub for travelers from all over the world, many of whom cite Taiwan’s natural beauty and many famous attractions as reasons for visiting.

A total of 8.57 million people visited Taiwan last year, according to the Ministry of the Interior. Japan alone contributed 1.48 million visitors, comprising 17.3% of the total. After that was Hong Kong and Macau, while South Korea was third, the US came in fourth, and Southeast Asian countries were close behind. Even without Chinese tourists, Taiwan continues to diversify its visitor base, and overall numbers continue to rise.

Voice of Chen Shih-min
NTU associate professor of political science
Taiwan’s situation is somewhat similar to Japan’s. Like Japan, we haven’t suffered significant harm from the absence of Chinese tourists. This might be why visitors from Japan, South Korea, and Singapore are increasing. Since there are fewer Chinese tourists, they may find it more peaceful here.

At the same time, China is trying to attract Taiwanese travelers. The Taiwan Affairs Office even promised to build transport infrastructure after unification, claiming that people would be able to drive from Taiwan to Beijing.

Zhu Fenglian
Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson
For example, we could speed up construction of a high-speed rail encircling the island. We could build more high-speed railways connecting the eastern and western parts of the island. You could drive to Beijing.

Yet people online didn’t take these claims seriously, saying anything is possible in your dreams. Others said they’d rather drive to Tokyo instead.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#travel #tourism #Taoyuanairport #Japan #TaiwanAffairsOffice #HSR #Chinesetourists

2025年來台旅客857萬人次! 日本占17.3%居冠

2026-04-01

內政部統計，2025年來台旅客數達857萬人次，其中以日本居冠，高達148萬人次，另外還有港澳、南韓，美國旅客也不少，倒是中國積極招手台灣人到對岸，日前國台辦更喊統一後要建環島高鐵，網友嗤之以鼻狠酸夢裡什麼都有。

桃園機場有來自各國的旅客，台灣的好山少水、知名景點多，也成為不少國際旅客首選。

2025年來台旅客數，根據內政部統計就有857萬人次，攤開看國家，光是日本旅客就占17.3%最多，高達148萬人次，再來是港澳旅客，第三名則是南韓，第四名美國，另外東南亞旅客人數也不少，即便不仰賴中國旅客，台灣國際旅客多元，且旅客數持續攀升。

[[聲源:台大政治系副教授陳世民]]
“我們台灣跟日本現在是有點類似，跟日本其實也沒有受到多大的一個，陸客不來觀光的傷害。這或許也是為什麼日本跟韓國，還有一些新加坡那些觀光客增加的原因，因為陸客減少了，他們覺得來這邊比較清靜。”

對岸則是拚命招手台灣旅客，日前國台辦竟拋出統一後交通建設，宣稱可以從台灣自駕到北京。

[[國台辦發言人朱鳳蓮]]
“比如我們可以幫助迅速的建成環島高鐵。建設更多連線本島，東西部的高速鐵路。自駕到北京來遊覽。”

針對國台辦的說法，網友狠酸夢裡什麼都有，還有人說比較想自駕到東京。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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China hopes to further its “One China” narrative through Cheng Li-wun’s visit. When they say they want to “safeguard and build our homeland” they imply that they will use military means. That includes conducting drills around Taiwan, which have the goal of intimidating the US and Japan and prevent them from intervening, as well as creating a wedge in Taiwan’s cooperation with the two countries. If these narratives present themselves during Cheng Li-wun’s trip, she will essentially be playing the script arranged by the CCP that both sides of the strait belong to “One China” and that the matter is an internal issue for them.

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Traveler shares unused bag tag experience at the airport

Overseas travelers, take note. A man surnamed Su and his family almost ran into a problem at the airport. Mr. Su shared on social media that he checked in for him and his family at a self-service kiosk, and received four luggage tags, one for every member of the family. However, his family only had three items to check in, so the fourth tag was left unused. Instead of having it nullified, he simply tucked it away into his pocket. Good thing he did not throw it away, or his flight could have gotten delayed at the airport. He shared his experience to remind other travelers to make sure that the number of tags received must be consistent with the number of check-in bags.

Although the long weekend only officially begins on Friday, Taoyuan International Airport already began to see a surge in travelers on Wednesday morning. To save time, many would check in via self-service kiosks like this one.

Meng Chia-mei
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With long lines at the check-in counter, many people would opt for using a self-service kiosk like this one instead, to check in and obtain bag tags. But do take note that the number of bag tags you print out must be consistent with the number of checked luggage units you have, otherwise you may run into problems.

Su Chia-hung
Printed extra bag tag
I didn’t think too much about it. After I checked in our luggage, we came to the waiting area. I later found out that they made two announcements calling my name.

The traveler didn’t pay too much attention about the unused bag tag. He checked in at the self-service kiosk for the whole family of four, and got four tags. But the family only had three pieces of luggage, so he didn’t use the fourth, and without a second thought, it went into his pocket. After he passed security checks, airport staff made multiple announcements calling his name. It was then when he discovered that he should’ve returned the unused tag to get it nullified.

Chen Chien-chin
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So, you didn’t use it, removed it and binned it. Let me tell you that it’ll become really, really troublesome. When the tags get printed, the baggage gets registered on the computer program, and you need to check in the baggage. But what if it didn’t get onto the plane? Where would it be? It’s like being present in person but the baggage didn’t follow. Then they’ll have to retrieve the luggage.

Now you know just how important the bag tag is. Travelers must make sure that the number of luggage units is exactly the same as registered, and that the tag is well-pasted. Travelers must also not remove the tag after it’s pasted on, even if you’d like to reposition it. If unsure, seek assistance from airport staff, so your journey goes smoothly as planned.

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Truck drops metal coils on road after swerving side to side

A frightening scene unfolded on National Freeway 1 in Changhua, where a semi-trailer truck suddenly swerved across multiple lanes before crashing into the guardrail and spilling its heavy cargo onto the roadway. Witnesses say the truck veered sharply from the outer lane to the inner lane and back again in a zig-zag, forcing surrounding cars to slow down and stop. Moments later, the vehicle struck the barrier, sending massive metal coils tumbling onto the asphalt, turning the busy road into a dangerous obstacle course.

Vehicles move along the section between Puyan and Yuanlin on National Freeway 1 in Changhua, when suddenly, a truck ahead cuts from the outermost lane into the innermost, swerving back out again in a zig-zag. A few moments later, it mounts over the guardrail, filling the air with dust and reducing visibility, as the coils roll one by one on the asphalt.

Voice of Witness
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The truck went from the right to the inside lane on the left and it just kept swerving. Everyone turned on the hazard lights and slowed down. It kept moving forward even after hitting the guardrail, and it still had two coils on the back.

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A drone’s aerial view clearly captures the extent of the flooding in Guangfu last year. Its images helped first responders find the best routes into disaster areas.

It’s indispensable for missions at high altitudes or in challenging terrain like ravines, finding the location of those in need of rescue so that first responders can get to them quicker.

Those aerial images were all captured by the same drone, which cost the National Fire Agency over NT$1 million. This model, currently used by the US military, expertly navigates complex terrain and incorporates AI to support search-and-rescue efforts.

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Dr. Chiu, deputy superintendent of a hospital in Toufen and owner of a separate group practice, was accused of sexually harassing an employee on Lunar New Year’s Eve. In the security footage, Chiu is seen touching her on the shoulder and lower back, attempting to lock her in. The victim frantically steps back, but eventually gets cornered. As she moves to the front door, Chiu follows her still and attempts to grope her. The leaked footage quickly circulated online and sparked outrage. The Miaoli District Prosecutors Office has since stepped in and demanded that Chiu be held incommunicado.

Voice of Liu Wei-cheng
Miaoli District Prosecutors Office
The defendant, surnamed Chiu is suspected of committing the crime of forcible indecency under Article 224 of the Criminal Code. There is reasonable suspicion of the crime. In addition to the fact that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the defendant repeatedly committed the same crime, there is also sufficient evidence to suggest that he colluded with witnesses in an attempt to destroy evidence. Therefore, there is a need for detention, and we hereby apply to the court for detention and prohibition of visits.

Prosecutors applied to have Chiu detained and held incommunicado. The court ruled that he could be released on a NT$300,000 bail, but he needed to be put under electronic monitoring. In recent high-profile cases of sexual offenses by celebrities, such as actor Chris Wang and TV personality Mickey Huang, both men were not electronically monitored after being released on bail. Why is it different in this case?

Voice of Lin Hui-ling
Taiwan Miaoli District Court
The defendant has a certain social standing and status, as well as influence. There is a certain perimeter set up in our method of electronic monitoring. It’s mainly to prevent repeat offenses.

And Chiu is indeed a person of power and status, as the deputy superintendent of a hospital. It’s been revealed via screenshots of a group chat that the superintendent had ordered staff members to help protect the hospital’s reputation. Amid the solid evidence in the security footage, concerns of repeat offenses and the potential harassment of witnesses, the judge ultimately ruled that he be put under electronic monitoring.

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