TAIPEI: Japan called for greater collaboration with Taiwan on semiconductors at a bilateral economic and trade meeting on Tuesday January 11, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi praised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd TSMC's plans to expand in Japan. The economic and trade relationships between Japan and Taiwan have continued to deepen even though the pandemic has blocked exchanges between Japan and Taiwan, according to Ohashi via video.
The Chinese claim is that Taiwan and Japan don't have formal diplomatic ties, but they have close unofficial relations. Both share concerns about China, especially its increased military activities near the two.
The Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference is usually held in Taiwan or Japan every year, but because of the Pandemic, the two sides met virtually this week.
TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, announced last year that it would set up research and development in Japan, as well as a US $7 billion chip plant with Sony Group.
Tech powerhouse Taiwan is at the forefront of efforts to solve a shortage of chips that have hampered auto production lines and affected consumer electronics makers around the world.
Chiou I-jen, chairman of the Taiwan-Japanese Relations Association, thanked Japan for supporting Taiwan's bid in September to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership CPTPP. He said Taiwan hoped that both sides could start a constructive dialogue on joining the trade pact as soon as possible.
Chiou said Taiwan is of crucial importance to the world's supply chain, economy and trade. If Taiwan can join the CPTPP, it will increase the importance and visibility of this pact in the global economy. Taiwan rejected China as one of its provinces with no right to the trappings of a state, because of Taiwan's bid. Taiwan is an independent country and has pledged to defend its freedom and democracy.