Shameful!"Unofficial 'Taiwander' merchandise appears before official launch at Taipei Main Station"

▲ The official mascot "Taiwander," designed for Taiwan by Japan, hasn't had its official merchandise released yet, but counterfeit versions have already emerged in Taiwan. (Photo / Taken fromTaiwander's official fan page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

"We learned from Taiwanese friends that pirated 'Taiwander' goods are currently being sold at a certain station in Taiwan..." The Japan-Taiwan Support Association, which designed the adorable "Taiwander," stated on itsofficial fan pagethat the official Taiwander merchandise has not yet been officially released, yet counterfeit versions have already appeared in claw machines at Taipei Main Station. Upon the announcement of this news, many netizens left comments criticizing it, saying, "This is embarrassing for Taiwanese people!"

In gratitude for Taiwan’s assistance and goodwill following the 311 Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan specially designed the mascot "Taiwander," which is full of Taiwanese flavor inside and out. Although it hasn’t had the chance to “return home” yet, it has actively participated in various exhibitions and events across Japan since the end of last year to promote the beauty of Taiwan. The Taiwan Support Association, responsible for the design, has also repeatedly mentioned that they are actively producing related merchandise, and the LINE stickers scheduled for release in the first half of the year are currently under review.

%The planned LINE stickers have been completed and are currently under review. (Photo / Taken from Taiwander's official fan page)

However, the official merchandise is still in the production stage, yet counterfeits have already appeared in Taiwan.According to netizen comments, the station openly offering pirated Taiwander in claw machines is Taipei Main Station’s West Station, at the ticketing area for Kuo-Kuang Bus.. Upon learning of this, the "Taiwan Support Association" clarified that the Taiwander in the claw machines is not the official version, expressed regret over such a copyright infringement, and urged netizens not to purchase the counterfeit goods.

The Taiwan Support Association stated, "We spent a long time designing the best possible merchandise, and because we insisted on manufacturing either in Taiwan or Japan, we continuously searched for suitable factories. But most doll manufacturers are overseas, so it wasn’t until recently that we finally found a suitable factory... But now that such counterfeiting is happening in Taiwan, we are very saddened." The Taiwan Support Association also reiterated that netizens must not produce counterfeit goods, and if anyone wishes to create Taiwander merchandise, they must apply to the association.

After the news was released, many Taiwanese netizens left comments criticizing, saying, "This is completely embarrassing for Taiwanese people!" "Can you not ruin the image of Taiwanese people?" "Can you not disrespect the kindness others show us?" "You’re really letting down the goodwill of our Japanese friends!" They expressed their absolute opposition to piracy. Some enthusiastic netizens even asked if they could help register a Taiwanese trademark and looked forward to the official merchandise and LINE stickers being available for sale in Taiwan as soon as possible.

%Netizens expressed strong disapproval of the counterfeit "Taiwander" merchandise (Photo / Screenshot fromTaiwander's official fan page)