The Nakamuras, a Japanese couple who decided to live in Puli , Nantou County has aroused much discussion about “Long Stay” in Taiwan. But the Council of Agriculture has said that developing a long-stay industry requires much work and should be done step by step. One has to understand market demand and harness all the resources of the country and those of non-government organizations. In addition, the environment should be prepared and administrative and support systems established before implementing the long-stay concept. The experience of New Zealand, Australia, Europe, America, and Southeast Asian countries show that there can be failed cases of long-stay.

According to the COA, since 2004 it has been collecting information on long-stay and in 2005, completed the “Feasibility Study Creating an Rural Community for Japanese Senior Citizens.” The study showed that there are many tremendous business opportunities for long-stay, and that countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines have made long-stay industry one of their important policies for implementation. The R.O.C. should also prepare to welcome the potential market of 700 million baby boomers retiring and looking for long-stay places by 2007. This new industry should help create business for the changing agriculture sector and bring in an integral environmental construction for the development of the tourism industry.

The COA said that developing a long-stay industry means addressing such issues as social conditions, living environment, social leisure planning, visas, medical and administration procedures. Only after improve the above conditions stage could the work of marketing begin. Taiwan may be somewhat slow in this regard. But in terms of geographical proximity, climate, natural resources, medical treatment, law and order, culture, interpersonal relationships and history, Taiwan has more to offer than Southeast Asian countries. Furthermore, many areas in Taiwan have the potential for a long-stay industry development. There are now 5 long-stay demo areas designated by the COA in coordination with the Bureau of Tourism. The Council will also convene an inter-departmental meeting with the Tourism Bureau to seek a consensus on this issue.

The COA said that long-stay issues go beyond a single department or ministry and would call for inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination. Drafting a national long-stay policy would have to involve the government agencies in the areas of foreign affairs, health, environmental protection, finance, communications, interior, education, and culture as well as local administrations and the civil society. Only in this way could a long-term policy be effectively developed.