Taiwan Deports Japanese Influencers Over Pro-China Video, Bars Re-Entry

Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) deported Japanese social media influencer Hiroyuki Tanaka and blacklisted another Japanese national, Aira Todomi, after they appeared in a controversial TikTok video declaring "Taiwan belongs to China." The video, filmed in Taipei's Ximending LGBTQ Rainbow landmark, showed the men displaying the Chinese flag and expressing their "deep love for China," which sparked outrage among Taiwanese netizens and political figures. The NIA cited violation of Article 18, Item 13 of Taiwan's Immigration Act, which permits deportation of foreigners deemed to endanger national interests or public security. Tanaka, who is married to a Taiwanese national, admitted to participating in the video to boost his online following, particularly among Chinese viewers. Both men had entered Taiwan visa-free, but their actions were deemed intolerable by Taiwanese authorities, leading to their expulsion and re-entry bans. The NIA reiterated a zero-tolerance stance towards any acts undermining Taiwan's sovereignty and pledged to maintain social stability.