Taiwan and Japan to promote exports of Taiwanese bananas

Taiwan and Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand agricultural cooperation to Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures by promoting Taiwanese banana exports to Japanese consumers and schools.

The MoU was signed by Taiwan’s cabinet-level Council of Agriculture with the Taiwan-Japan Goodwill Ambassador Association.

Agriculture and Food Agency director-general Hu Jong-I represented the Council of Agriculture at the signing ceremony.

Hu Jong-I said that the MoU is expected to further strengthen the council’s efforts to drive demand for Taiwanese bananas among the younger generation in Japan.

The Council of Agriculture anticipates that it will increase banana exports while helping to create more awareness about Taiwan among Japanese school children.

Taiwan bananas will be distributed to Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures, where they were not previously available.

Taiwan’s Executive Yuan is also planning to promote Taiwanese agricultural products at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

The Council of Agriculture is carrying out negotiations with the Japanese Olympic officials over the procurement of Taiwan-grown bananas and other products to meet the needs of Olympic athletes and spectators.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan are also working with the council to increase Taiwan’s share in the Japanese market for imported agricultural goods.

In addition, the Council of Agriculture is planning to increase sales of Taiwanese bananas in Shizuoka and Tokyo and to put them on school lunch menus.