COVID-19 risks
Oct. 19, 2022, midnight
In light of the general improvement in the global infection situation and the fact that the G7 countries have already canceled the designation of levels by country and region, all the new coronavirus infectious disease risk information was issued on October 19. The world is uniformly set to level 1 (please be careful).
Aug. 24, 2022, midnight
On August 24, the infectious disease risk information for 41 countries was changed from level 3 (recommendation to avoid travel) to level 2 (please refrain from non-essential travel), and the infectious disease risk information for 55 countries/regions was changed to level 2. The level has been lowered from (Please refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent travel) to Level 1 (Please be careful).
July 25, 2022, midnight
On July 23, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern". According to the WHO, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox infection in 75 countries and regions have been reported so far, and the infection is spreading worldwide.
July 1, 2022, midnight
Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the risk of death and aggravation has decreased, and deregulation at the water's edge and in Japan has also been seen, especially in countries where vaccination is progressing worldwide. I'm on the way. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.
May 26, 2022, midnight
Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the number of new infections and deaths is declining worldwide, and the risk of death and aggravation is mainly in countries where vaccination is progressing. Is declining, and regulations are being relaxed at the water's edge and in Japan. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.
April 1, 2022, midnight
The level of infectious disease risk information should be reviewed after comprehensively considering the actual situation of each country / region, such as the number of newly infected people in each country / region, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures. It was made. As a result, infectious disease risk information has been reduced from Level 3 "Recommendation for suspension of travel" to Level 2 "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" in 106 countries.
Nov. 29, 2021, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please be informed and try to prevent the infection.
Aug. 13, 2021, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.
May 18, 2021, midnight
Coronavirus infections are still spreading worldwide, with more than 160 million confirmed infections and more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Although the number of infected people is decreasing in North America and Europe, the situation continues to require caution, such as the remarkable spread of infection in South Asia.
Based on this situation, the infectious disease risk information level in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, Thailand, East Timor, and Mongolia has been newly set to Level 2 by comprehensively considering various situations including the deterioration of the infection situation. "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" has been raised to Level 3 "Travel Cancellation Recommendation".
Oct. 30, 2020, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.
Travel advisories from local embassies and consulates
Information from the past two weeks.
Taiwan Safety Information (1st Quarter 2025)
May 13, 2025, 2:40 p.m.
1. Social and security situation: Although some groups have been holding sporadic protests around the Taipei office of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in relation to the history between Japan and Taiwan, the general public's feelings towards Japan are generally favorable. The security situation in Taiwan is relatively stable, but caution is required as fraud cases are on the rise.
2. Crime Trends (1) Number of Major Crimes According to the announcement by the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior (as of May 6, 2025), the number of criminal offenses from January to March 2025 was 133,832, an increase of 151.3% compared to the same period last year.
Many crimes still occur every day, and there has been a sharp increase in theft and fraud in particular, so please remain vigilant and remember that Taiwan is a foreign country, and be sure to be aware of crime prevention measures.
In addition, the occurrence rates of major crimes are as follows, so please use this as a reference for preventing victimization.
Total number of criminal offenses: 133,832 (151.3% increase from the same period last year)
Of these, 27 were murders (a 6.9% decrease from the previous year).
Of these, 31 were robberies (a 40.9% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 13 were cases of forced intercourse (a 62.5% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 18,823 were thefts (a 145.5% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 46,399 were fraudulent (a 431.3% increase from the previous year).
(2) Cases involving Japanese nationals A. Theft (pickpocketing)
Recently, there have been many cases of pickpockets stealing wallets and other items from bags of Japanese tourists in Shilin Night Market and Jiufen (located in Ningbo). In some cases, credit cards have been misused after the theft.
In the past, the existence of theft groups targeting foreign tourists has been confirmed. When you are eating or shopping at crowded tourist spots such as night markets or event venues, be sure to keep your valuables safe by carrying your baggage in front of you (not on your back).
Please also be aware that cases of theft have been reported in tourist areas such as the National Palace Museum, Martyrs' Shrine, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, Yongkang Street, Taipei 101, World Trade Center, Ximending, Shilin Night Market, Raohe Street Night Market, and Ningxia Night Market in Taipei, Jiufen (divided into Ningxia Night Market) in New Taipei City, Lotus Pond, Liuhe Night Market, and Ruifeng Night Market in Kaohsiung City, as well as restaurants, airports, train stations, etc.
In the unlikely event that you think you may have been a victim of theft, you should immediately report it to the nearest police station. If you suspect theft based on circumstances such as fraudulent use of your credit card, please file a "damage report (general criminal case (theft)" to report the theft, rather than a "lost property report" to report the loss. If you think you may have been a victim, please contact our association.
Fraud: Recently, there has been an increase in fraud cases targeting Japanese people and other foreigners. The most common methods are as follows:
・ Social media investment fraud (receiving solicitations for stocks or investments through social media groups, etc.)
- Romance scams (meeting someone on social media, taking advantage of the promise of meeting or marriage to demand money from them, etc.)
・ Internet fraud (purchasing a product online, paying for it, but the product is not delivered, etc.)
【Note! ]
Promises such as "guaranteed profits," "special tips for you," and "free investment seminars by celebrities" are all potential scams. Be sure to check whether the investment destination is real, whether there is a possibility of identity theft, and whether there is anything suspicious about the transfer account (e.g., a personal account is specified as the transfer destination, the account name changes each time a transfer is made, etc.).
Also, be careful if someone you have never met talks to you about money. Anyone can easily impersonate someone else using photos posted on social media or AI. Even if you become friends with someone on social media or through video calls, be careful that someone other than the person you are impersonating may be impersonating you.
Loss of passports Since the last issue of "Taiwan Safety Information" was published, there have been 31 reports of lost passports. Most of these are believed to have been lost while out or in a taxi. There are also cases where it is unclear when or where the passport was lost, and cases where it may have been the result of pickpocketing or baggage theft.
Looking at past cases of lost passports known to our association, the following characteristics can be noted:
- Losing your passport in crowded places such as Jiufen (Ninh Binh) or the night market.
- Leaving your bag containing your passport in a taxi or on public transport.
・Leaving it at the airport or in a toilet.
- After drinking, he became so drunk that he fell asleep on the street and lost his bag containing his passport.
- Accidentally throwing away or dropping your passport when cleaning your room or moving.
As seen above, the majority of lost passports are due to carelessness on the part of the holder. If you lose your passport, in addition to reporting it to the Taiwanese authorities, if you need to return home urgently, you will need to apply for a travel document, etc. This requires obtaining a certified copy of your family register, and the application process takes a lot of time and effort. In addition, Japanese passports are highly trusted internationally, and lost passports are likely to be forged or altered, which could lead to crimes such as illegal entry and exit, or international terrorism. Please be sure to take good care of your passport during your stay.
3. Traffic Accident Trends (1) Key Statistics According to the National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior, the number of traffic accidents in January 2025 was 36,167, an increase of 11.3% compared to the average from January to March of the previous year, which means that there were approximately 1,167 traffic accidents per day across Taiwan.
In addition, the number of fatalities (242) was down 6.6% compared to the average from January to March of the previous year (259). However, this still means that approximately eight people die in traffic accidents every day across Taiwan.
As many traffic accidents still occur every day, when you go out, please be aware of the differences in traffic conditions and customs between Japan and Taiwan, and pay close attention to the driving conditions of surrounding cars and motorbikes to avoid becoming the victim of a traffic accident. In addition, we recommend that you purchase overseas travel insurance if possible in preparation for an unforeseen traffic accident during your stay.
Key statistics regarding road accidents are as follows:
Number of cases: 36,167 (11.3% increase compared to the average from January to March of the previous year)
Number of deaths: 242 (6.6% decrease from the same as above)
Number of injured: 48,139 (10.6% decrease from the same as above)
(2) Cases of Japanese Nationals Being Injured There have been cases of Japanese nationals visiting the country for tourism being involved in traffic accidents and dying.
Please be especially careful when walking, such as by keeping a close eye on the situation of surrounding vehicles. In addition, if an accident occurs, do not negotiate directly with the other party at the scene, but be sure to report it to the police, and if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately.
4. Occurrence of terrorist attacks and bombings None reported.
5. Number of cases of kidnapping or intimidation involving Japanese nationals: None reported.
6. No safety incidents at Japanese companies have been reported.
7. Purchasing overseas travel insurance We are aware of cases in which unexpected illness or traffic accidents while staying in Taiwan have resulted in expensive medical and hospital expenses.
In such cases, if you have overseas travel insurance, medical expenses and transportation costs will be covered in the event of illness, and depending on the insurance company and the contents of the contract, you may also be able to receive travel expenses for your family and arrange for a Japanese interpreter in Taiwan. When visiting Taiwan, we recommend that you take out as comprehensive overseas travel insurance as possible to prepare for unexpected crime, traffic accidents, sudden illness, etc.
8. Submitting a residence notification, etc. In the event of a large-scale accident in Taiwan or damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, our association will confirm the safety of Japanese nationals based on the residence notification data submitted by Japanese nationals residing in Taiwan, and the residence notification plays an important role in confirming the safety of Japanese nationals. In addition, various information, including safety information, will be sent to the email address listed on the residence notification. If you will be staying in Taiwan for more than three months, please submit a residence notification to our association. In addition, if there are any changes to the information you have notified us, such as returning to Japan or having already moved from the address you previously registered, please submit a "Return to Japan/Moving Out Notification" or "Change Notification" by referring to our association's website (https://www.koryu.or.jp/consul/stay/).
***********************************************
Japan Taiwan Exchange Association Kaohsiung Office Consular Office Address: 9F, 10F, No. 87, Heping 1st Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City
Telephone: (area code 07)-771-4008 (ext. 47)
From outside Taiwan, please call (area code 886)-7-771-4008 (ext. 47)
FAX: (area code 07)-771-2734
From outside Taiwan, please call (area code 886)-7-771-2734
E-MAIL: ryoji-k1@ka.koryu.or.jp
Website: https://www.koryu.or.jp/
***********************************************
Taiwan Safety Information (1st Quarter 2025)
May 12, 2025, 4:05 p.m.
1. Social and security situation: Although some groups have been holding sporadic protests around the Taipei office of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in relation to the history between Japan and Taiwan, the general public's feelings towards Japan are generally favorable. The security situation in Taiwan is relatively stable, but caution is required as fraud cases are on the rise.
2. Crime Trends (1) Number of Major Crimes According to the announcement by the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior (as of May 6, 2025), the number of criminal offenses from January to March 2025 was 133,832, an increase of 151.3% compared to the same period last year.
Many crimes still occur every day, and there has been a sharp increase in theft and fraud in particular, so please remain vigilant and remember that Taiwan is a foreign country, and be sure to be aware of crime prevention measures.
In addition, the occurrence rates of major crimes are as follows, so please use this as a reference for preventing victimization.
Total number of criminal offenses: 133,832 (151.3% increase from the same period last year)
Of these, 27 were murders (a 6.9% decrease from the previous year).
Of these, 31 were robberies (a 40.9% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 13 were cases of forced intercourse (a 62.5% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 18,823 were thefts (a 145.5% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 46,399 were fraudulent (a 431.3% increase from the previous year).
(2) Cases involving Japanese nationals A. Theft (pickpocketing)
Recently, there have been many cases of pickpockets stealing wallets and other items from bags of Japanese tourists in Shilin Night Market and Jiufen (located in Ningbo). In some cases, credit cards have been misused after the theft.
In the past, the existence of theft groups targeting foreign tourists has been confirmed. When you are eating or shopping at crowded tourist spots such as night markets or event venues, be sure to keep your valuables safe by carrying your baggage in front of you (not on your back).
Please also be aware that cases of theft have been reported in tourist areas such as the National Palace Museum, Martyrs' Shrine, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, Yongkang Street, Taipei 101, World Trade Center, Ximending, Shilin Night Market, Raohe Street Night Market, and Ningxia Night Market in Taipei, Jiufen (divided into Ningxia Night Market) in New Taipei City, Lotus Pond, Liuhe Night Market, and Ruifeng Night Market in Kaohsiung City, as well as restaurants, airports, train stations, etc.
In the unlikely event that you think you may have been a victim of theft, you should immediately report it to the nearest police station. If you suspect theft based on circumstances such as fraudulent use of your credit card, please file a "damage report (general criminal case (theft)" to report the theft, rather than a "lost property report" to report the loss. If you think you may have been a victim, please contact our association.
Fraud: Recently, there has been an increase in fraud cases targeting foreigners, including Japanese people. The most common methods are as follows:
・ Social media investment fraud (receiving solicitations for stocks or investments through social media groups, etc.)
- Romance scams (meeting someone on social media, taking advantage of the promise of meeting or marriage to demand money from them, etc.)
・ Internet fraud (purchasing a product online, paying for it, but the product is not delivered, etc.)
【Note!】
Promises such as "guaranteed profits," "special tips for you," and "free investment seminars by celebrities" are all potential scams. Be sure to check whether the investment destination is real, whether there is a possibility of identity theft, and whether there is anything suspicious about the transfer account (e.g., a personal account is specified as the transfer destination, the account name changes each time a transfer is made, etc.).
Also, be careful if someone you have never met talks to you about money. Anyone can easily impersonate someone else using photos posted on social media or AI. Even if you become friends with someone on social media or through video calls, be careful that someone other than the person you are impersonating may be impersonating you.
Loss of passports Since the last issue of "Taiwan Safety Information" was published, there have been 31 reports of lost passports. Most of these are believed to have been lost while out or in a taxi. There are also cases where it is unclear when or where the passport was lost, and cases where it may have been the result of pickpocketing or baggage theft.
Looking at past cases of lost passports known to our association, the following characteristics can be noted:
- Losing your passport in crowded places such as Jiufen (Ninh Binh) or the night market.
- Leaving your bag containing your passport in a taxi or on public transport.
・Leaving it at the airport or in a toilet.
- After drinking, he became so drunk that he fell asleep on the street and lost his bag containing his passport.
- Accidentally throwing away or dropping your passport when cleaning your room or moving.
As seen above, the majority of lost passports are due to carelessness on the part of the holder. If you lose your passport, in addition to reporting it to the Taiwanese authorities, if you need to return home urgently, you will need to apply for a travel document, etc. This requires obtaining a certified copy of your family register, and the application process takes a lot of time and effort. In addition, Japanese passports are highly trusted internationally, and lost passports are likely to be forged or altered, which could lead to crimes such as illegal entry and exit, or international terrorism. Please be sure to take good care of your passport during your stay.
3. Traffic Accident Trends (1) Key Statistics According to the National Police Agency, the number of traffic accidents in January 2025 was 36,167, an increase of 11.3% compared to the average from January to March of the previous year, which means that there were approximately 1,167 traffic accidents per day across Taiwan.
In addition, the number of fatalities (242) was down 6.6% compared to the average from January to March of the previous year (259). However, this still means that approximately eight people die in traffic accidents every day across Taiwan.
As many traffic accidents still occur every day, when you go out, please be aware of the differences in traffic conditions and customs between Japan and Taiwan, and pay close attention to the driving conditions of surrounding cars and motorbikes to avoid becoming the victim of a traffic accident. In addition, we recommend that you purchase overseas travel insurance if possible in preparation for an unforeseen traffic accident during your stay.
Key statistics regarding road accidents are as follows:
Number of cases: 36,167 (11.3% increase compared to the average from January to March of the previous year)
Number of deaths: 242 (6.6% decrease from the same as above)
Number of injured: 48,139 (10.6% decrease from the same as above)
(2) Cases of Japanese Nationals Being Injured There have been cases of Japanese nationals visiting the country for tourism being involved in traffic accidents and dying.
Please be especially careful when walking, such as by keeping a close eye on the situation of surrounding vehicles. In addition, if an accident occurs, do not negotiate directly with the other party at the scene, but be sure to report it to the police, and if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately.
4. Occurrence of terrorist attacks and bombings None reported.
5. Number of cases of kidnapping or intimidation involving Japanese nationals: None reported.
6. No safety incidents at Japanese companies have been reported.
7. Purchasing overseas travel insurance We are aware of cases in which unexpected illness or traffic accidents while staying in Taiwan have resulted in expensive medical and hospital expenses.
In such cases, if you have overseas travel insurance, medical expenses and transportation costs will be covered in the event of illness, and depending on the insurance company and the contents of the contract, you may also be able to receive travel expenses for your family and arrange for a Japanese interpreter in Taiwan. When visiting Taiwan, we recommend that you take out as comprehensive overseas travel insurance as possible to prepare for unexpected crime, traffic accidents, sudden illness, etc.
8. Submitting a residence notification, etc. In the event of a large-scale accident in Taiwan or damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, our association will confirm the safety of Japanese nationals based on the residence notification data submitted by Japanese nationals residing in Taiwan, and the residence notification plays an important role in confirming the safety of Japanese nationals. In addition, various information, including safety information, will be sent to the email address listed on the residence notification. If you will be staying in Taiwan for more than three months, please submit a residence notification to our association. In addition, if there are any changes to the information you have notified us, such as returning to Japan or having already moved from the address you previously registered, please submit a "Return to Japan/Moving Out Notification" or "Change Notification" by referring to our association's website (https://www.koryu.or.jp/consul/stay/).
[Contact Information]
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Taipei Office
Address: No. 28, Qingcheng Street, Songshan District, Taipei City
Phone: (area code 02)-2713-8000
From outside Taiwan, please call (area code 886)-2-2713-8000
FAX: (area code 02)-2713-0975
From outside Taiwan, please call (area code 886)-2-2713-0975
Email: ryoji-k1@tp.koryu.or.jp
*This email is automatically sent to the email address provided in your residence notification and the email address registered with Tabi-Regi.
