Taiwan travel advisories

Alert regarding chikungunya fever

Nov. 21, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

● Chikungunya fever, which causes symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and rash, is prevalent in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.
● Chikungunya fever is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito infected with the chikungunya virus, so in the above areas please be sure to take the preventive measures described below in 1(4), such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent spray.
● If you suspect you may be infected, please visit a medical institution as soon as possible.

Zika virus infection alert (updated)

Nov. 21, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

● The number of cases of Zika virus infection, which causes symptoms such as fever and rash and can result in congenital disorders such as microcephaly in fetuses, has decreased globally since 2017, but infections continue to occur, albeit in small numbers, in Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
● Zika virus infection is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus, so if you are in the above areas, please be sure to take the preventive measures listed below in 1(4), such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent spray.
● If you suspect you may be infected, please visit a medical institution as soon as possible.

Lifting of infectious disease risk information for Mpox

Sept. 12, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

●The infectious disease risk information level 1 (take extreme caution) regarding Mpox issued for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic will be lifted.
●Sporadical infections are still being seen around the world, so please stay up to date on the infection situation in your destination and take measures to prevent infection.

Taiwan Safety Information (3rd Quarter 2025)

Dec. 2, 2025, 5:30 p.m.

1. Social and Security Situation: Although there have been sporadic protests by some groups around the Taipei office of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association due to issues such as the history between our two countries, it can be said that the general public's sentiment towards Japan is generally positive. The security situation in Taiwan is relatively stable, but there have been confirmed cases of Japanese people being victims of fraud and theft (pickpocketing), so caution is advised.

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 November 13, 2025), the number of criminal offenses from July to September 2025 was 148,210, an increase of 50.4% compared to the same period last year.
Many crimes still occur every day, and there are particularly high rates of theft and fraud, so please do not let your guard down, remember that Taiwan is a foreign country, and make sure to be aware of crime prevention measures.
The number of major crimes occurring is as follows, so please use this as a reference for preventing victimization.
Total number of criminal offenses: 148,210 (50.4% increase from the same period last year)
Of these, 45 were murders (a 25.0% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 40 were robberies (a 100% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 21 were cases of forced intercourse (same as above, an increase of 61.5%).
Of these, 19,259 were thefts (a 33.6% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 50,827 were fraudulent (a 60.3% increase from the previous year).

(2) Cases of victimization of Japanese nationals A. Theft (pickpocketing)
Recently, there have been cases of pickpockets stealing wallets and other items from bags belonging to Japanese tourists in Shilin Night Market, Jiufen (located in Ningbo), etc. 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 eating and shopping at crowded tourist spots such as night markets or event venues, please be sure to keep your valuables safe by always holding your luggage in front of you (not hanging it on your back).
Please be aware that thefts have been reported in particular at tourist spots 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 City, Jiufen (divided into Ningben) in New Taipei City, and Lotus Pond, Liuhe Night Market, and Ruifeng Night Market in Kaohsiung City, as well as restaurants, airports, and train stations.
If you suspect that you have been the victim of theft, please immediately report it to the nearest police station. If there is a possibility of theft based on circumstances such as fraudulent use of your credit card, please file a "Criminal Report (General Criminal Case (Theft)") to report the theft, rather than a "Lost Property Report" to report the loss. If you suspect that you have been the victim of theft, please contact our association.

B. Theft (car break-in)
An incident occurred near the banks of the Tamsui River in New Taipei City in which a parked car's window was broken and valuables left inside the car were stolen. Please be sure to lock your vehicle when leaving it, and do not leave valuables inside the car.

C. 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 opportunity to meet or marry them, and then demanding money)
- Online fraud (purchasing a product online, paying for it, but the product is never delivered, etc.)
【Note! ]
Promises such as "guaranteed profits," "special tips just for you," and "free investment seminars by celebrities" may be scams. Always check whether the investment destination is real, whether there is any possibility of impersonation, and whether there is anything suspicious about the transfer account (e.g., if a personal account is specified as the transfer destination, or if the account name changes each time a transfer is made).
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 close with someone on social media or through video calls, be aware that someone other than them may be impersonating them.

D. Lost Passports Since the last issue of "Taiwan Safety Information" was published, there have been 14 reports of lost passports. Most of these are believed to have been lost while out or in taxis. In some cases, it is unclear when or where the passport was lost, and there are also cases where it may have been lost by 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 tourist spots or night markets.
- I carry my passport and cell phone in my bag, and when I frequently take my cell phone out and put it back in, my passport falls out and gets lost.
- Leaving a bag containing your passport in a taxi or on public transport.
・Leaving it at the airport or in the 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 passport 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 or other document. This requires obtaining a certified copy of your family register, and the application process takes a lot of time and effort. Furthermore, Japanese passports are highly trusted internationally, and there is a risk that lost passports will be forged or altered, which could lead to crimes such as illegal entry and exit, or international terrorism. Please take great care to manage your passport while you are in Taiwan.

3. Traffic Accident Trends (1) Key Statistics According to the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, the number of traffic accidents from May to July 2025 was 98,015, an increase of 0.5% compared to the same period last year, which means that there are approximately 1,065 traffic accidents per day across Taiwan.
The number of fatalities (651) was a slight decrease of 7.4% compared to the same period last year (703), but this still means that approximately seven 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 traffic conditions of cars and motorcycles around you to avoid becoming a victim of a traffic accident. Also, please be sure to purchase overseas travel insurance if possible in preparation for any unforeseen traffic accidents during your stay.
The main statistics regarding traffic accidents (May to July) are as follows:
Number of incidents: 97,485 (0.5% increase from the same period last year)
Number of deaths: 703 (7.4% decrease from the same as above)
Number of injured: 128,953 (0.4% decrease from the same as above)
(2) Cases involving Japanese nationals There have been cases where Japanese nationals visiting the area for sightseeing were involved in traffic accidents while walking on the sidewalk and died.
Please be especially careful when walking, and keep an eye on the vehicles around you.
In addition, in May, a highway bus from Taoyuan Airport was involved in an accident, injuring a Japanese passenger. Please be sure to fasten your seat belt when riding a bus or taxi.
If you are involved in an accident, do not negotiate directly with the other party at the scene. Instead, be sure to report the accident to the police, and if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately.

4. Terrorist and bomb incidents: None reported.

5. No cases of kidnapping or blackmail involving Japanese nationals have been reported.

6. No safety incidents at Japanese companies have been reported.

7. Purchasing overseas travel insurance We are aware of cases where unexpected illnesses or traffic accidents have resulted in high medical and hospital costs during a stay in Taiwan.
In such cases, if you have overseas travel insurance, not only will medical expenses and transportation costs be covered in the event of illness, but depending on the insurance company and 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 Residence Notifications, etc. In the event of a large-scale accident in Taiwan or damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes or typhoons, our association will use the residence notification data submitted by Japanese nationals residing in Taiwan to confirm their safety. Residence notifications play a major role in confirming the safety of Japanese nationals. We also send various information, including safety information, 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. If there are any changes to the information you have registered, such as returning to Japan or moving from a previously registered address, 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 (3rd Quarter 2025)

Dec. 2, 2025, 1:25 p.m.

1. Social and Security Situation: Although there have been sporadic protests by some groups around the Taipei office of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association due to issues such as the history between our two countries, it can be said that the general public's sentiment towards Japan is generally positive. The security situation in Taiwan is relatively stable, but there have been confirmed cases of Japanese people being victims of fraud and theft (pickpocketing), so caution is advised.

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 November 13, 2025), the number of criminal offenses from July to September 2025 was 148,210, an increase of 50.4% compared to the same period last year.
Many crimes still occur every day, and there are particularly high rates of theft and fraud, so please do not let your guard down, remember that Taiwan is a foreign country, and make sure to be aware of crime prevention measures.
The number of major crimes occurring is as follows, so please use this as a reference for preventing victimization.
Total number of criminal offenses: 148,210 (50.4% increase from the same period last year)
Of these, 45 were murders (a 25.0% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 40 were robberies (a 100% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 21 were cases of forced intercourse (same as above, an increase of 61.5%).
Of these, 19,259 were thefts (a 33.6% increase from the previous year).
Of these, 50,827 were fraudulent (a 60.3% increase from the previous year).

(2) Cases of victimization of Japanese nationals A. Theft (pickpocketing)
Recently, there have been cases of pickpockets stealing wallets and other items from bags belonging to Japanese tourists in Shilin Night Market, Jiufen (located in Ningbo), etc. 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 eating and shopping at crowded tourist spots such as night markets or event venues, please be sure to keep your valuables safe by always holding your luggage in front of you (not hanging it on your back).
Please be aware that thefts have been reported in particular at tourist spots 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 City, Jiufen (divided into Ningben) in New Taipei City, and Lotus Pond, Liuhe Night Market, and Ruifeng Night Market in Kaohsiung City, as well as restaurants, airports, and train stations.
If you suspect that you have been the victim of theft, please immediately report it to the nearest police station. If there is a possibility of theft based on circumstances such as fraudulent use of your credit card, please file a "Criminal Report (General Criminal Case (Theft)") to report the theft, rather than a "Lost Property Report" to report the loss. If you suspect that you have been the victim of theft, please contact our association.

B. Theft (car break-in)
An incident occurred near the banks of the Tamsui River in New Taipei City in which a parked car's window was broken and valuables left inside the car were stolen. Please be sure to lock your vehicle when leaving it, and do not leave valuables inside the car.

C. 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 opportunity to meet or marry them, and then demanding money)
- Online fraud (purchasing a product online, paying for it, but the product is never delivered, etc.)
【Note! ]
Promises such as "guaranteed profits," "special tips just for you," and "free investment seminars by celebrities" may be scams. Always check whether the investment destination is real, whether there is any possibility of impersonation, and whether there is anything suspicious about the transfer account (e.g., if a personal account is specified as the transfer destination, or if the account name changes each time a transfer is made).
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 close with someone on social media or through video calls, be aware that someone other than them may be impersonating them.

D. Lost Passports Since the last issue of "Taiwan Safety Information" was published, there have been 14 reports of lost passports. Most of these are believed to have been lost while out or in taxis. In some cases, it is unclear when or where the passport was lost, and there are also cases where it may have been lost by 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 tourist spots or night markets.
- I carry my passport and cell phone in my bag, and when I frequently take my cell phone out and put it back in, my passport falls out and gets lost.
- Leaving a bag containing your passport in a taxi or public transportation.
-Leaving it behind at the airport or in the 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 passport 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 or other document. This requires obtaining a certified copy of your family register, and the application process takes a lot of time and effort. Furthermore, Japanese passports are highly trusted internationally, and there is a risk that lost passports will be forged or altered, which could lead to crimes such as illegal entry and exit, or international terrorism. Please take great care to manage your passport while you are in Taiwan.

3. Traffic Accident Trends (1) Key Statistics According to the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, the number of traffic accidents from May to July 2025 was 98,015, an increase of 0.5% compared to the same period last year, which means that there are approximately 1,065 traffic accidents per day across Taiwan.
The number of fatalities (651) was a slight decrease of 7.4% compared to the same period last year (703), but this still means that approximately seven 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 traffic conditions of cars and motorcycles around you to avoid becoming a victim of a traffic accident. Also, please be sure to purchase overseas travel insurance if possible in preparation for any unforeseen traffic accidents during your stay.
The main statistics regarding traffic accidents (May to July) are as follows:
Number of incidents: 97,485 (0.5% increase from the same period last year)
Number of deaths: 703 (7.4% decrease from the same as above)
Number of injured: 128,953 (0.4% decrease from the same as above)
(2) Cases involving Japanese nationals There have been cases where Japanese nationals visiting the area for sightseeing were involved in traffic accidents while walking on the sidewalk and died.
Please be especially careful when walking, and keep an eye on the vehicles around you.
In addition, in May, a highway bus from Taoyuan Airport was involved in an accident, injuring a Japanese passenger. Please be sure to fasten your seat belt when riding a bus or taxi.
If you are involved in an accident, do not negotiate directly with the other party at the scene. Instead, be sure to report the accident to the police, and if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately.

4. Terrorism and bombing incidents: None reported.

5. No cases of kidnapping or blackmail involving Japanese nationals have been reported.

6. No safety incidents at Japanese companies have been reported.

7. Purchasing overseas travel insurance We are aware of cases where unexpected illnesses or traffic accidents have resulted in high medical and hospital costs during a stay in Taiwan.
In such cases, if you have overseas travel insurance, not only will medical expenses and transportation costs be covered in the event of illness, but depending on the insurance company and 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 Residence Notifications, etc. In the event of a large-scale accident in Taiwan or damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes or typhoons, our association will use the residence notification data submitted by Japanese nationals residing in Taiwan to confirm their safety. Residence notifications play a major role in confirming their safety. We also send various information, including safety information, 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. If there are any changes to the information you have registered, such as returning to Japan or moving from a previously registered address, 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, 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 TabiRegi.