Tokyo allows Taiwanese residents

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will now allow Taiwanese people to register their place of origin as Taiwan:

Until recently, in line with a long-standing central government directive, China was used rather than Taiwan — despite the fact that all responsibility for paperwork relating to Juki Net, the national resident registry network, was handed over to municipal governments through the comprehensive laws on decentralization in 2000.

A reference document issued in 1987 by the metro government for municipal officials stipulated that China rather than Taiwan was to be used in registrations, as per the state’s instruction.

Now, in an updated document issued on May 30 for municipal officials to refer to when they work on the Juki Net, the use of Taiwan is permitted.

It is believed to be unusual for a prefectural government to send out a notice on this matter, but the metro government apparently decided it is inappropriate to bind municipalities to the China-only stipulation in cases where people report that they have come from Taiwan.

In other Tokyo-China news, Tokyo governor Ishihara has announced that he will be visiting China in August for the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.