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Taiwan donating 2 million face masks to Japan

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Good for Taiwan, always a friend indeed to Japan whenever Japan needed help.

31 ( +38 / -7 )

Kudos to Taiwan! They have to to Japan's aid numerous times when there has been trouble here!

32 ( +33 / -1 )

Japan incapable of making masks domestically? Pretty sad if true. A very popular home made mask in the U.S. involves a piece of cloth and two hair ties. It is a Japanese idea, derived from origami and furoshiki concepts. Maybe Akie doesn’t know how to make one.

-6 ( +11 / -17 )

If more people made their own masks and stop using the stupid disposable ones there would be plenty of masks.

And Abe; instead of wasting tax payers money on sending 2 to every household - all packaged in plastic no doubt - why not have a campaign for making home made masks?

17 ( +19 / -2 )

I cannot understand why Japanese companies are not churning these out in their millions. What is wrong? Japanese businesses are usually very quick to seize a chance.

(Invalid CSRF!)

8 ( +16 / -8 )

Good lord. Japan having to rely on Taiwan to help!

What are the Japanese mask makers doing????

Inept

8 ( +19 / -11 )

Japan has been depending on 90% of surgical or health face masks made in China, because it could not make cheaper masks in labor cost. It seems Japan better not depend on China any more in future.

15 ( +18 / -3 )

Taiwan shows good heart and intention to the world community.

I tip my hat to them.

24 ( +25 / -1 )

William77, thank you for your hat. Taiwan people just did what every Chinese would do.

-22 ( +2 / -24 )

Taiwan and Japan have been helping each other for many years every time big earthquakes occurred and made a lot of destruction. Both countries always will in future. So masks are good help for Japan.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Thank you Independent Taiwan!

I hope Japan and the US properly support you and back you up in the future.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

I'm all for re-recognizing Taiwan as an autonomous country. I can't think of many negative things about this country.

Shame on nations around the world, especially the US and the countries of the EU, for bowing down to economic and political pressure by the PRC.

Taiwan has been stabbed in the back by their former supporters.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

The independent country of Taiwan helping Japan and others with its donation of 16 million masks is a very humane thing to do and it should be congratulated.

Taiwan's generous actions have absolutely nothing to do with China as some commenters may ask you to believe. Taiwan will only ever be a "Provence of China" after it is invaded by China and defeated in war, not before.

Thanks to Taiwan for those who its actions will save from harm.

19 ( +19 / -0 )

Thank you Taiwan! What an amazing, selfless and kind gesture. Japanese people will never forget this - it will absolutely save lives.

As a reward, when this disaster is over, I hope Japan starts lobbying hard to install the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a full member of the UN. It is shameful that so many nations recognize only Communust China and not Taiwan as an independent nation. A massive increase in trade between Japan and Taiwan should also be aimed at.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

...thank you for your hat. Taiwan people just did what every Chinese would do.

Troll.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

Are they N95 masks or just a pieces of cloth like our dear leader just spent a ludicrous amount on.....

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

It’s nice to see Japan recognizing Taiwan.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

If and when we all get past this crisis the entire world should recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation and tell the CCP to shove it.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Dear Taiwan

Thank you. Also thank you for trying to engage the WHO in spite of them not accepting your offer to provide information and also refusing to provide you (Taiwan) with information.

My respect for Taiwan, who has handled this situation in an amazing way, has grown tremendously.

I am not Japanese however a Permanent Resident here.

This gesture is appreciated.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

If more people made their own masks and stop using the stupid disposable ones there would be plenty of masks.

Cotton masks do not have the filtration capability and tight fit of propert surgical masks.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Right on Taiwan!!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Japan could sure learn from Taiwan.

Enough "Japanese male pride" Japan, get in the game!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Thanks Taiwan! And those masks we can trust, unlike those sent by the CCP.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Shame on you, Japan! For all the money you suck from us you have to rely on a country many times smaller than you? Japan is totally exposed showing us how unprepared it is. Talk about advanced technology, the best in the world, Made In Japan quality, whatever BS... Can't even handle a virus!

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Tokyo Engr:

My respect for Taiwan, who has handled this situation in an amazing way, has grown tremendously.

Taiwan is what China should be, and hopefully will be after they get rid of the CCP.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

No doubt surgical or health face mask is much better than cotton mask, but better than nothing. For ordinary people cotton mask is okay as long as keeping social distancing but medical doctors and nurses definitely need surgical mask like N95.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Bravo Taiwan!

Shame to the so-called democratic Japan, USA , EU etc who did absolutely nothin when the WHO barred the Island Republic from joining coz they all kowtow to the dictatorship in Beijing.

For Taipei to give such a humanitarian gesture despite Tokyo cutting-off diplomatic ties in favor of China speaks volumes about the integrity and dignity of the Taiwanese people and their principles .

The people of Taiwan deserves to be represented not only in the WHO but also in the UN so that the citizens of China can learn a thing or two about how a da-kine decent country and its government should behave .

10 ( +10 / -0 )

shame on UN and WHO not recognized taiwan its own country.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Ironically, PM Abe seems to always be equipped with da-kine multiple layers of face masks and practicing stringent social distancing when facing Taiwan but shakes hands and even bear hugs Chairman Xi JP!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

PPE can be helpful. And stopping going out just for fun is also helpful. I began to stay at home two weeks ago, and ordered some N95 from epidemiology.amotx.com in case I have to go out for something necessary. They may still have stocks now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Punctual PlumToday 07:42 am JSTGood lord. Japan having to rely on Taiwan to help!

What are the Japanese mask makers doing????

Any help is good help. This is no time for pick-and-choose. Beggars can't be choosers.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Will Japan reciprocate and recognize Taiwan as a country in the international community?

Akie, the English don’t consider the Irish or Scottish, English. Why do you consider the Taiwanese, Chinese?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Taiwan is what China should be, and hopefully will be after they get rid of the CCP.

Blame the US for ditching Taiwan for the CCP in 1978.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It is time for all to say "Thank you" to Taiwan.

Not the time to argue the good and the bad or the politics of it all. This is mankind at its best; to share and to help. It is something we see and feel at times of disasters that makes us respect and love each other.

I sincerely appreciate their thoughts and effort in spite of their need for similar assistance in time of mutual need.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Well this is great but I want to come to Japan’s aid when they really need it. It just shows that there’s continued good relations between these two.

And to address one of the concerns that a lot of you seem to have, I think Japanese companies ARE capable of producing these masks. It’s just that because the coronavirus has created such a intense need and high demand for them, they can’t produce ALL the masks that they need. That’s all.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Bertie Wooster, I don't know your education level, but do you understand the cost it goes into producing anything? The cost in Japan is way too high that's why manufacturing is largely sent overseas where the price is manageable. Doesn't take a genius to know something like that.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Thank you Taiwan, time and time again you have shown yourself to be a responsible, caring nation.

It's a shame the rest of the world doesn't have courage enough to stand up to China.

You are not a part of China and never will be.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I'm still amazed that HK, Macau and Taiwan, all right next to mainland China and with very close links, have managed so well. Everytime something comes out of the mainland, these places have to be on full alert. I hope other countries, including Japan, can learn from them.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I cannot understand why Japanese companies are not churning these out in their millions. What is wrong? Japanese businesses are usually very quick to seize a chance.

You should already know the answer to this, they come from China! It's been mentioned here numerous times.

It's also not so easy as you think either! Retooling machines is a hell of a lot harder than you seem to think. Folks cant just snap their fingers and expect something to get done...oh wait, you do!

My bad!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japan, which tests only people with symptoms of the coronavirus, has so far recorded nearly 200 deaths and more than 9,000 infections, including passengers who caught the virus on a cruise ship.

Utterly untrue, the article is nothing but misinformation.

There are thousand of people with symptoms who have been refused testing for not meeting some ridiculous conditions put in place to restrict the increase in testing.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Re the article: “Who was that masked man?”

That said, I’d love to see Taiwan take a seat in the U.N. as the Republic of Taiwan.

However, the PRC would probably launch an attack after issuing their veto. But Taiwan will probably never declare such republic as it (the loser) and the PRC (the winner) both espouse the “One China Principle”

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Way to go Taiwan!! I hope the UN will open their eyes to recognize you as a real country, as Taiwan has absolutely earned that right and privilege. In my eyes they are their country and nothing to do with China aside being a neighbor.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@Yubaru: You should already know the answer to this, they come from China! It's been mentioned here numerous times.

No these masks are made in TAIWAN, got that. Taiwan is not China but currently independently managing its own affairs outside China. It does not answer to China nor should it.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@Marcelito A little over 200 yen for a piece of cloth is nothing, I've seen shops here in the Czech Republic sell those for the equivalent of 860 yen a piece... Now that's price gouging

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Yubaru:

You should already know the answer to this, they come from China! It's been mentioned here numerous times.

It's also not so easy as you think either! Retooling machines is a hell of a lot harder than you seem to think.

That is why we should have listened to to Taiwan, and not to the corrupt WHO. Taiwan already knew in December about the problem in Wuhan, started domestic retooling for mask production (which is why they can not help Japan), and warned about the mainland China virus problem. But the WHO dismissed the warnings, preferring to parrot CCP propaganda.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

sorry should have been "which is why they can now help Japan"

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Taiwan: The good China.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@Akie - I half agree with you, Chinese people are generally decent when you get to know them. Family is important to them, as is elsewhere within Asia.

However, on the Mainland, it's "their" so-called "Leadership" has been the cause of the breakdown in their Society - one only has to look at their Cultural Revolution and the great loss it had upon their Society for evidence of that - yet it continues to try the same. The CCP has had its time, internally - the State Controls news to paint a different picture, but Chinese expats are talking to their families and giving a different story - slowly information is trickling back; externally, its rapidly being seen as a Pariah within the Global Community, and as such, with hope - the CCP won't be around much longer (with hope!). Once that happens, then, I really hope, the "Chinese" people will be able to reunite as one with Freedoms that they've never had before, and with a new realization of what behaviour is right and what is wrong within an International Community.

But until then, for now, I applaud the Taiwanese Chinese separately from their counterparts on the Mainland.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@cracaphat - an interesting point you've raised. How is it, that, "China", a despised Country within Japan, has the monopoly over such a much needed resource here in Japan ? On the one hand, the Japanese complain about China, and on the other they ship key resource supplies over there... something doesn't seem right here.

Water resources should be the next big thing to look at post Virus - Chinese entities have been been buying up land with Natural Water supplies Globally - including here in Japan... are we suddenly going to be finding ourselves with Natural water supplies being cut off because the owners of those lands have the right to redirect supplies, or shutdown operations ?

Perhaps Globalisation has gone too far, and Countries need to take a closer look at where things have gone, and the risks that has placed upon themselves.

Please bear in mind, there is no such thing, as a Chinese Company that is totally independent from the influence of the CCP.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@zichi - interesting website, thanks.

Just highlights the point I made above, that Face-masks are a core product to Japanese peoples, so why is the bulk production of such, handled outside of the Country... and more so in ... China. Were the information you supplied via this US based site correct, then surely, we would not be seeing the Nationwide shortages (including in Hospitals) / total absence of facemasks within Japan.

What appears to be missing is whether those companies listed on the web site, are importing products and simply rebranding - which is what I suspect is happening.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@zichi -according to those statistics someone here in Japan must therefore have a Stadium full of boxes of masks ? Seen any candidates ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

kazetsukaiApr. 17 12:45 pm JSTIt is time for all to say "Thank you" to Taiwan.

And a big Domo Arigato to Taiwan!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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