Fleeing after abandoning car post-accident: Ishigaki Island car rental company announces no more rentals to Taiwanese

Reported by You T-Ru / Comprehensive report




▲ The Ishigaki Island car rental company issued an urgent notice on its official website. (Photo / Taken fromthe car rental company’s website)

Are the overseas standards of Taiwanese tourists really in need of improvement? Recently, a tourist traveled to Ishigaki Island, Japan, by cruise ship and rented a vehicle from a well-known local rental company. Unfortunately, an accident occurred that damaged the car. Instead of taking responsibility, the tourist boarded the ship and left the island. The Ishigaki Island car rental company issued an urgent statement, saying this kind of behavior from Taiwanese tourists is not the first time. “It is a fact that there are many people without a sense of responsibility,” and they are considering no longer renting vehicles to Taiwanese tourists.

The urgent statement mentioned that while the rental terms do include compensation details, these become void if the tourist returns to Taiwan. Taiwanese tourists involved in accidents locally did not report to the police and attempted to evade responsibility for the incident. Coupled with the short duration of stays on Ishigaki Island via cruise, the rental company found it impossible to seek compensation from Taiwanese tourists. As a result, they are considering no longer renting vehicles to any Taiwanese individuals. The statement also used strong language to condemn some irresponsible Taiwanese tourists, stating, “Such an attitude is a disgrace to all Taiwanese citizens.”


▲ Ishigaki Island in Japan is less than an hour’s flight from Taiwan, attracting many Taiwanese tourists. (Photo / Taken by reporter Chen Ying-pei)