Taiwan, Japan urged to deepen semiconductor and defense technology ties

呼籲台日深化半導體與國防科技合作

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and Japan should deepen cooperation in semiconductors, AI, and defense-related supply chains to strengthen economic security and counter pressure from China, experts said Sunday at a forum in Taipei.

The 2026 Taiwan-Japan Future Technology Forum was hosted by the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank and the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals on Sunday at the Chang Yung-fa Foundation in Taipei, per CNA.

Participants included former Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Iwata Kiyofumi, Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank Executive Director Yaita Akio, former Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua (王美花), and Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), director of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research’s Division of Defense Strategy and Resources.

Yaita said Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine had underscored the geopolitical risks facing Taiwan and Japan, highlighting the need for the two sides to move beyond traditional friendship and exchanges toward creating shared economic and technological value.

Taiwan brings strengths in semiconductor manufacturing, while Japan has a strong foundation in scientific research, advanced materials, and production equipment. Combining those capabilities could help both sides develop more resilient supply chains, he said.

Wang said Taiwan occupied an important position in the artificial intelligence industry, spanning chip design, servers, data center infrastructure, and AI models. Few places have such a comprehensive supply chain, she said, adding that Taiwan should recognize the value of its industrial capabilities.

However, Wang also highlighted questions about competition between open-source and proprietary AI models, including whether inexpensive Chinese-developed models could accelerate adoption while raising concerns about cybersecurity, data security, and trust. These issues could have significant implications for Taiwan’s technological development.

Turning to semiconductors, Iwata described Taiwan and Japan’s industries as mutually dependent, with Taiwan specializing in advanced chip manufacturing and Japan supplying critical materials and production equipment.

Without Taiwan’s advanced semiconductors, Japan’s automotive, consumer electronics, and defense industries would face difficulties, he said. Conversely, Taiwan’s chipmakers rely heavily on Japanese materials and equipment, making the two economies’ industrial capabilities complementary, per CNA.

Iwata said the two sides should also consider how to protect these supply chains against economic coercion and excessive dependence on China.

On security, Iwata pointed to Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island, about 110 kilometers from Taiwan. Taiwan and Japan occupy strategically important positions along the first island chain, which is central to regional security planning.

He said Taiwan’s location near the Bashi Channel, between Taiwan and the Philippines, also gives the island strategic importance for regional maritime routes and military operations.

Iwata argued that Taiwan-Japan defense cooperation should initially focus less on major weapons transactions, such as fighter jets and missiles, and more on dual-use components, materials, and modules that serve both civilian and military purposes.

He said Taiwan and Japan should reduce strategic vulnerabilities by avoiding excessive dependence on China for defense-related production and by building more reliable industrial partnerships. He added that a stronger foundation in parts, materials, and manufacturing could create opportunities for future cooperation as regional security concerns grow.