TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Japanese tourist was deported on Monday after filming a video in Taipei’s Ximending shopping district waving a Chinese flag and declaring, “Taiwan belongs to China.”

The National Immigration Agency said in a press release it launched an investigation immediately after learning of the video. It confirmed that both individuals involved were Japanese nationals who had entered Taiwan visa-free.

The NIA said the men violated Article 18, Paragraph 1, Clause 13 of the Immigration Act, which bars actions that “endanger the interests of the nation, public safety, or public order.” It ruled the incident required compulsory deportation and follow-up entry control.

Investigators found one of the men left Taiwan the same day the video was filmed. He has been issued a re-entry ban.

The other man, a 42-year-old Japanese national, admitted to producing the video during questioning by NIA officers. He was deported Monday morning and also given a re-entry ban.

Local media reported that one of the men is an online influencer and the other a Japanese-language teacher. Their actions were suspected to be an attempt to boost online traffic and influence among Chinese viewers.

The NIA reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for visitors who endanger national interests or disrupt public order, pledging to continue working with relevant agencies to maintain social stability.