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Taiwan and Japan signed two memorandums of understanding Nov. 22 to boost collaboration on customs enforcement and cultural exchanges.
 
The pacts were sealed at the conclusion of the annual Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference in Tokyo. Chiou I-jen, head of Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, and Mitsuo Ohashi, chairman of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, inked the accords on behalf of the two sides.
 
Under the agreement on customs enforcement, Taiwan and Japanese authorities will work to combat smuggling and streamline clearance procedures through sharing information and expertise, according to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Finance. The accord is expected to pave the way for the establishment of an authorized economic operator program between the nations, the ministry said.
 
Taiwan has to date signed AEO agreements, which facilitate fast-tracked customs clearance, with countries including India, New Zealand, the Philippines and the U.S. Such an accord with Japan would further strengthen expansive two-way trade ties, the MOF said.
 
In 2016, Japan was Taiwan’s third largest trading partner, while Taiwan was Japan’s fourth largest trading partner, with total trade valued at US$60.2 billion, MOF statistics showed.
 
Under the cultural collaboration pact, the two countries agreed to deepen exchanges in areas spanning arts promotion, cultural heritage preservation and talent cultivation. As part of the accord, JTEA will launch a Japanese cultural center in Taipei City before the end of November.
 
Minister of Culture Cheng Li-chiun said the agreement will serve as the foundation for the future development of cultural relations. The pact underscores the commitment on both sides to fostering understanding and people-to-people exchanges, she added.
 
The Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference was first staged in 1976. This year’s meeting, held Nov. 21-22, addressed topics spanning agriculture, aquaculture, intellectual property and pharmaceuticals. (KWS-E)
 
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