Politics

At least 61 people are infected with the novel coronavirus on the Diamond Princess, seen anchored at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, on Feb. 7.
Coronavirus

No port in a storm: Cruise ships left adrift over coronavirus

Luxury liners struggle to drop anchor as countries turn them away

7 February 2020
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a news conference on the novel coronavirus in Geneva on Thursday. Taiwan's foreign minister has attacked Ghebreyesus for praising China's efforts to stem transmission of the virus, while refusing to allow Taiwan to join the United Nations agency. 
Coronavirus

Taiwan grills WHO over seat at the table as coronavirus spreads

More support comes from global community, but prospect of joining remains dim

7 February 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Feb. 6.
International relations

Taiwan's next VP visits Washington and attends Trump event

William Lai is island's highest-ranking official in US capital since 1979

7 February 2020
Taiwan's role as production safe haven owes much to Tsai's handiwork since 2016.
Opinion

Taiwan's strong GDP growth shows it does not need China to succeed

President Tsai Ing-wen has overwhelming mandate and clear plans

30 January 2020
A woman in Singapore wears a surgical mask while buying flowers just before the Lunar New Year celebration were set to begin, amid confirmed cases of coronavirus there.
Coronavirus

Singapore invokes 'fake news' law on false coronavirus death report

Taiwan seeks to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan; Philippines halts flights

27 January 2020
Travelers wait for their trains at  Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan on Jan. 22. A man was fined in Taiwan for failing to report his illness after arriving from the Chinese city that became the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus

Taiwan fines coronavirus patient $10,000 for 'hiding' illness

Man fails to disclose symptoms then visits nightclub after returning from Wuhan

26 January 2020
Used plastic accumulates at a site in Tokyo partly because China stopped accepting it. (Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
Environment

Japan's plastic waste sees first rise in 2 decades on China ban

Chinese and Taiwanese processors seize opportunity as local peers hang back

25 January 2020
Hong Kong protesters hold a banner to ask for the support during Tsai's campaign event in Taipei on Jan. 10: Tsai may come under pressure to provide legal support for Hong Kong refugees in Taiwan.
Opinion

Taiwan-Hong Kong solidarity will be a thorn in China's side

Protesters went to Taipei to learn how to run free democratic elections

23 January 2020
An airport officer walks past international travelers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on the first day of coronavirus screenings for people coming from Wuhan, China, on Jan. 18. 
Coronavirus

US confirms China virus case and widens airport screening

First patient outside Asia brings total to five countries

22 January 2020
A U.S. naval vessel passed through Taiwan Strait on Thursday. 
International relations

US warship passes through Taiwan Strait, angering China

Transit comes days after Beijing-skeptic Tsai wins second term

18 January 2020
Wang "William" Liqiang, the self-proclaimed former Chinese spy who fled to Australia, surfaced again ahead of the Taiwan election. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Getty Images and Akira Kodaka) 
China up close

'China spy' and a last-ditch attempt to swing Taiwan's election

With island's 'pro-China' constituency shrinking, Beijing senses trouble

16 January 2020
A Kuomintang supporter attends a rally from the party's presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu in Taipei on Jan. 9. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's Nationalists face battle to remain electoral force

Kuomintang's chairman steps down amid calls for radical party reforms

15 January 2020
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen waves to supporters on Jan. 11 in Taipei. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
The Nikkei View

China must respect Taiwan's desire for distance

Tsai's reelection shows consensus in favor of democracy and autonomy

15 January 2020
The challenge for Tsai's coming term is to convince voters that it can manage the China problem. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Opinion

Tsai's massive victory in Taiwan confounds and embarrasses China

Its pressure and disinformation campaign hindered opposition Kuomintang

15 January 2020
Winners of a contest for startup projects last May: Establishing the groundwork for entrepreneurs to flourish is crucial in Taiwan.  (Photo by Shuhei Yamada) (Photo by Shuhei Yamada)
Technology

Taiwan's millennial entrepreneurs cool on mainland China

Ineffective incentives lead more to think twice before crossing strait

15 January 2020
Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib, right, shakes hands with Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je in front of the Prague astronomical clock in Prague, Czech Republic on Jan. 13.
International relations

Shanghai breaks with Prague over partnership with Taiwan

Czech capital becomes sister cities with Taipei despite Belt and Road role

15 January 2020
A supporter of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen flashes support for Hong Kong protestors. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan and Hong Kong draw closer, united by fear of Beijing

After years of limited contact, young people from both places connect

13 January 2020
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. "The two sides have almost no political trust," according to Pan Chao-min, a professor at Tunghai University's Graduate Institute of Political Science in Taiwan. (Reuters/Akira Kodaka)
Taiwan elections

Tsai landslide risks China cranking up pressure on Taiwan

Beijing is seen likely to take further diplomatic, economic or military steps

12 January 2020
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People on Jan. 6, flanked by Politburo member Yang Jiechi, to his right, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Taiwan elections

Beijing reiterates 'One China' after Tsai's Taiwan election win

The U.S. lauded president for standing up to 'unrelenting pressure'

12 January 2020
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the White House on Jan. 10.
Taiwan elections

US congratulates Tsai and calls Taiwan a 'model'

Pompeo commends Taipei's democracy, free market and civil society

12 January 2020
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen celebrates her victory with supporters in Taipei Saturday night. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Taiwan elections

Tsai Ing-wen sweeps to victory in Taiwan presidential election

Victory bolstered by young voters backing her strong stance against China

11 January 2020
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen wait in line to vote at a polling station in New Taipei City on Saturday morning. (Photo by Akira Kodaka). 
Taiwan elections

Tsai Ing-wen leads in early counts for Taiwan presidential election

Incumbent appears set for large victory over China-friendly rival

11 January 2020
Brittany Kaiser, formerly of Cambridge Analytica, is calling for stronger legislation to protect user data.
Century of Data

Whistleblower warns of Cambridge Analytica's Asia reach

Former employees still active in elections, Brittany Kaiser says

11 January 2020
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, left, and Han Kuo-yu, the presidential candidate from the opposition party, Kuomintang. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi and Akira Kodaka)
Taiwan elections

Five things to know about Taiwan elections

Tsai seen as favorite, but legislative vote adds twist amid US-China tensions

10 January 2020
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Kuomintang candidate Han Kuo-yu speak at recent rallies in Taipei. (Nikkei montage/Akira Kodaka) 
Taiwan elections

Attacks continue as Taiwan's election campaign enters final stage

After four rocky years for Tsai, poll will decide future relationship with China

9 January 2020