Good Morning World: First Measles Case Imported to Japan in 7 Years, CDC Raises Travel Alert
Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has raised its travel alert for Japan to Level 1 'Watch' after a 30-year-old man from Changhua was diagnosed with measles upon returning from Nagoya in mid-April, marking the first imported case from Japan in seven years. Japan's measles cases have surged, prompting the heightened warning for Taiwanese travelers.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 08:54
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 09:01 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 09:06 (4 min after Collected)
Central News
The CDC announced on the 28th that a 30-something male from Changhua who traveled to Nagoya, Japan, in mid-April, was diagnosed with measles after returning to Taiwan. This is the first imported measles case from Japan in seven years, and 274 related contacts have been traced, with monitoring expected until May 12. In response to Japan's higher-than-usual measles epidemic this year and the increased number of Taiwanese traveling to Japan, the CDC has elevated Japan's travel health warning to Level 1, "Watch." Japan's measles epidemic continues to escalate; according to official statistics, as of the 19th, the number of measles infections reported by medical institutions has reached 362, significantly higher than the 265 for the entire year of 2025, and an increase of approximately 4.4 times compared to the same period last year. The speed of spread is second only to 2019 in the past decade. (Read full report)
Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu convened cross-party negotiations on the national defense special bill on the 27th, but reached no consensus, announcing further negotiations on May 6. Kuomintang Chairman Cheng Li-wen stated on the 28th that she does not oppose passing the national defense special bill to appropriate NT$800 billion, but only if the US officially issues a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to Taiwan before the military budget can be compiled. She warned that if the Democratic Progressive Party insists, cross-party negotiations will definitely break down. DPP spokesperson Lin Chu-yin urged against further delaying the military procurement bill, which could lead to a gap in Taiwan's overall defense capabilities. Presidential Office spokesperson Kolas Yotaka stated that the national defense special bill should indeed not be delayed further and called on the legislature to pass it as soon as possible regardless of party affiliation. (Read full report)
Taiwan stocks rose 484 points on the 28th, touching 40101.23 points in early trading. MediaTek surged to its daily limit of NT$2675, and Delta Electronics hit NT$2160, both setting new highs. Subsequently, selling pressure emerged at high levels, and funds flowed out of electronic stocks. TSMC closed at its lowest point of NT$2215, and the Taiwan stock market lost its 40,000-point gain, closing at its lowest at 39521.73 points, down 94.9 points. Foreign investors clearly adjusted their positions at high points, with net sales reaching NT$39.298 billion, marking two consecutive trading days of net sales. TSMC saw a further reduction of 22,100 shares, ranking third on the sell list, with a cumulative net sale of 41,000 shares over two days. Affected by foreign capital outflow and a strengthening US dollar, the New Taiwan dollar depreciated, closing at 31.518, down 5.1 cents, ending a two-day consecutive rise. In addition, Bloomberg compiled data shows that driven by the strong rally in AI-related tech stocks, the South Korean stock market has surpassed the UK stock market to become the world's 8th largest stock market, closely trailing Taiwan's stock market, which ranks 7th. (Read full report)
The KMT and Taiwan People's Party jointly endorsed a New Taipei City mayoral candidate, and the poll results announced on the 28th showed former Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Sze-chuan as the winner. Lee Sze-chuan stated that he would implement talent co-governance and recruit outstanding talents from the Taiwan People's Party into his team. Huang Kuo-chang promised full support for Lee Sze-chuan's campaign. The New Taipei City mayoral election is now set for a blue-green showdown. DPP New Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui congratulated her opponent on a successful primary and said she would continue to strive for more opportunities to serve New Taipei citizens. (Read full report)
In mid-April this year, users of Quick Connect VPN (LetsVPN), a circumvention software touted as "always accessible" in mainland China, faced difficulties accessing "outside the Great Firewall" information. Quick Connect VPN announced on the 28th that it would terminate its operations targeting mainland China, citing continuous network blocking and stating that after numerous efforts over the past 20 days, it was unable to confirm an effective solution to connection issues. This VPN is provided by a company registered in Canada. (Read full report)
The Wall Street Journal reported that under the US Navy's blockade, Iranian oil exports have been cut off, and with US-Iran talks at an impasse, Iran is accelerating its search for new oil storage methods to avoid severe production shutdowns, having attempted to transport crude oil to China by the more costly rail. Additionally, shipping tracker Kpler stated that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier left the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such occurrence since the waterway was almost closed due to the Middle East conflict in early March this year. (Read full report)
The Central Weather Administration stated that this spring, except for a relatively long period of cold weather from late February to early March due to a cold air mass, the overall temperature was warmer than usual. This spring was the third warmest for the same period since 1951. Rainfall was normal to less than normal, with the number of rainy days being the fifth lowest since 1951. The Weather Administration predicts that average temperatures for the May and June plum rain season are more likely to be normal to higher, and rainfall is more likely to be normal to lower. In recent years, the plum rain season has shown a trend of concentrated rainfall periods and a significant increase in the frequency of short-duration heavy rainfall events. (Read full report)
According to the reciprocal trade agreement between Taiwan and the US, US peanuts will be imported with zero tariffs. Concerns have been raised that American peanuts may flood the market, impacting domestic peanut production. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Hu Chung-yi explained the government's specific response measures on the 28th, stating that the Taiwan-US reciprocal trade agreement has not yet taken effect. Once implemented, it is estimated to affect 20% to 30% of domestic peanuts. The Ministry of Agriculture will enhance the value of domestic peanuts and guide farmers to switch crops to cope. Minister of Agriculture Chen Chun-chi stated that although the content of the Taiwan-US negotiations has not yet been implemented, Taiwan should seize this opportunity to effectively transform the industry, replacing price competition with value competition, and gaining consumer recognition through value. The Ministry of Agriculture also issued a press release explaining that comprehensive industrial support measures are in place to ensure domestic peanut farmers are not affected. (Read full report)
Taipei Main Station shopping mall is currently operated by Breeze. The contract expires on July 24 this year. Taiwan Railways Administration announced a tender in mid-January this year, and on the 28th, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi was announced as the most preferred applicant, with "Breeze Plaza Enterprise Co., Ltd." as the second most preferred. Subsequent negotiations and contract signing will proceed according to regulations. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi stated its hope to connect the Nanxi business district and the Taipei Station business district, adding diverse experiences with art, culture, and trendy businesses to create a new look for the national gateway. However, Breeze questioned the selection process and evaluation mechanism, submitting an objection on the 27th and demanding an explanation from Taiwan Railways Administration within 3 days and a suspension of the announcement. It will subsequently evaluate filing administrative litigation. (Read full report)
"Riku Ryu" Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi, who won Japan's first-ever pairs figure skating gold medal at the Milan Winter Olympics, held a retirement press conference in Tokyo on the 28th, officially bringing their competitive careers to an end. Regarding the timing of their retirement, Miura revealed that they had been thinking that this season might be their last since the beginning of the season.
The CDC announced on the 28th that a 30-something male from Changhua who traveled to Nagoya, Japan, in mid-April, was diagnosed with measles after returning to Taiwan. This is the first imported measles case from Japan in seven years, and 274 related contacts have been traced, with monitoring expected until May 12. In response to Japan's higher-than-usual measles epidemic this year and the increased number of Taiwanese traveling to Japan, the CDC has elevated Japan's travel health warning to Level 1, "Watch." Japan's measles epidemic continues to escalate; according to official statistics, as of the 19th, the number of measles infections reported by medical institutions has reached 362, significantly higher than the 265 for the entire year of 2025, and an increase of approximately 4.4 times compared to the same period last year. The speed of spread is second only to 2019 in the past decade. (Read full report)
Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu convened cross-party negotiations on the national defense special bill on the 27th, but reached no consensus, announcing further negotiations on May 6. Kuomintang Chairman Cheng Li-wen stated on the 28th that she does not oppose passing the national defense special bill to appropriate NT$800 billion, but only if the US officially issues a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to Taiwan before the military budget can be compiled. She warned that if the Democratic Progressive Party insists, cross-party negotiations will definitely break down. DPP spokesperson Lin Chu-yin urged against further delaying the military procurement bill, which could lead to a gap in Taiwan's overall defense capabilities. Presidential Office spokesperson Kolas Yotaka stated that the national defense special bill should indeed not be delayed further and called on the legislature to pass it as soon as possible regardless of party affiliation. (Read full report)
Taiwan stocks rose 484 points on the 28th, touching 40101.23 points in early trading. MediaTek surged to its daily limit of NT$2675, and Delta Electronics hit NT$2160, both setting new highs. Subsequently, selling pressure emerged at high levels, and funds flowed out of electronic stocks. TSMC closed at its lowest point of NT$2215, and the Taiwan stock market lost its 40,000-point gain, closing at its lowest at 39521.73 points, down 94.9 points. Foreign investors clearly adjusted their positions at high points, with net sales reaching NT$39.298 billion, marking two consecutive trading days of net sales. TSMC saw a further reduction of 22,100 shares, ranking third on the sell list, with a cumulative net sale of 41,000 shares over two days. Affected by foreign capital outflow and a strengthening US dollar, the New Taiwan dollar depreciated, closing at 31.518, down 5.1 cents, ending a two-day consecutive rise. In addition, Bloomberg compiled data shows that driven by the strong rally in AI-related tech stocks, the South Korean stock market has surpassed the UK stock market to become the world's 8th largest stock market, closely trailing Taiwan's stock market, which ranks 7th. (Read full report)
The KMT and Taiwan People's Party jointly endorsed a New Taipei City mayoral candidate, and the poll results announced on the 28th showed former Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Sze-chuan as the winner. Lee Sze-chuan stated that he would implement talent co-governance and recruit outstanding talents from the Taiwan People's Party into his team. Huang Kuo-chang promised full support for Lee Sze-chuan's campaign. The New Taipei City mayoral election is now set for a blue-green showdown. DPP New Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui congratulated her opponent on a successful primary and said she would continue to strive for more opportunities to serve New Taipei citizens. (Read full report)
In mid-April this year, users of Quick Connect VPN (LetsVPN), a circumvention software touted as "always accessible" in mainland China, faced difficulties accessing "outside the Great Firewall" information. Quick Connect VPN announced on the 28th that it would terminate its operations targeting mainland China, citing continuous network blocking and stating that after numerous efforts over the past 20 days, it was unable to confirm an effective solution to connection issues. This VPN is provided by a company registered in Canada. (Read full report)
The Wall Street Journal reported that under the US Navy's blockade, Iranian oil exports have been cut off, and with US-Iran talks at an impasse, Iran is accelerating its search for new oil storage methods to avoid severe production shutdowns, having attempted to transport crude oil to China by the more costly rail. Additionally, shipping tracker Kpler stated that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier left the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such occurrence since the waterway was almost closed due to the Middle East conflict in early March this year. (Read full report)
The Central Weather Administration stated that this spring, except for a relatively long period of cold weather from late February to early March due to a cold air mass, the overall temperature was warmer than usual. This spring was the third warmest for the same period since 1951. Rainfall was normal to less than normal, with the number of rainy days being the fifth lowest since 1951. The Weather Administration predicts that average temperatures for the May and June plum rain season are more likely to be normal to higher, and rainfall is more likely to be normal to lower. In recent years, the plum rain season has shown a trend of concentrated rainfall periods and a significant increase in the frequency of short-duration heavy rainfall events. (Read full report)
According to the reciprocal trade agreement between Taiwan and the US, US peanuts will be imported with zero tariffs. Concerns have been raised that American peanuts may flood the market, impacting domestic peanut production. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Hu Chung-yi explained the government's specific response measures on the 28th, stating that the Taiwan-US reciprocal trade agreement has not yet taken effect. Once implemented, it is estimated to affect 20% to 30% of domestic peanuts. The Ministry of Agriculture will enhance the value of domestic peanuts and guide farmers to switch crops to cope. Minister of Agriculture Chen Chun-chi stated that although the content of the Taiwan-US negotiations has not yet been implemented, Taiwan should seize this opportunity to effectively transform the industry, replacing price competition with value competition, and gaining consumer recognition through value. The Ministry of Agriculture also issued a press release explaining that comprehensive industrial support measures are in place to ensure domestic peanut farmers are not affected. (Read full report)
Taipei Main Station shopping mall is currently operated by Breeze. The contract expires on July 24 this year. Taiwan Railways Administration announced a tender in mid-January this year, and on the 28th, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi was announced as the most preferred applicant, with "Breeze Plaza Enterprise Co., Ltd." as the second most preferred. Subsequent negotiations and contract signing will proceed according to regulations. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi stated its hope to connect the Nanxi business district and the Taipei Station business district, adding diverse experiences with art, culture, and trendy businesses to create a new look for the national gateway. However, Breeze questioned the selection process and evaluation mechanism, submitting an objection on the 27th and demanding an explanation from Taiwan Railways Administration within 3 days and a suspension of the announcement. It will subsequently evaluate filing administrative litigation. (Read full report)
"Riku Ryu" Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi, who won Japan's first-ever pairs figure skating gold medal at the Milan Winter Olympics, held a retirement press conference in Tokyo on the 28th, officially bringing their competitive careers to an end. Regarding the timing of their retirement, Miura revealed that they had been thinking that this season might be their last since the beginning of the season.