《TAIPEI TIMES》Lai eyes closer Japan ties in Kanagawa meeting

健康 國際 地方 蒐奇 影音 財經 娛樂 汽車 時尚 體育 3 C 評論 藝文 玩咖 食譜 地產 專區 TAIPEI TIMES 求職

President William Lai speaks from the podium while meeting with members of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association of Kanagawa Prefecture at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA

SWEAT IT OUT:The head of a Japan-Taiwan friendship group said he hoped Hakone, known for its hot springs, could sign a memorandum of understanding with Beitou

Staff writer, with CNA

President William Lai （賴清德） yesterday expressed hope for expanded Taiwan-Japan industrial ties to build safer, more resilient and “non-red” supply chains.

Lai made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association of Kanagawa Prefecture at the Presidential Office in Taipei.

Taiwan and Japan share a deep friendship forged through difficult times, with a relationship that is as close as those between family members, and are also important economic and trade partners, he said.

Bilateral trade reached US$84.851 billion last year, up 17.36 percent from the previous year, while exchanges between the two sides have grown increasingly close in industries such as electronics and information and communications technology, as well as machinery and components, he said.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co （TSMC） established a design center in Kanagawa, a major hub for high-tech industries and advanced manufacturing in Japan, while 13 Taiwanese companies, including ASE Technology, have also set up operations in the prefecture, Lai said.

At the same time, 78 Kanagawa-based companies, including Nissan Motor, have invested in Taiwan, he said.

TSMC is the world’s leading company in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, while ASE is a global leader in semiconductor packaging and testing, he said.

That both companies have invested in Kanagawa demonstrates the close ties between Taiwan and the prefecture, he added.

Taiwan has strong capabilities in semiconductor and artificial intelligence （AI） manufacturing, while Kanagawa has strengths in research and development and precision manufacturing, Lai said.

The president expressed hopes that by expanding cooperation, the two sides can build safer and more resilient supply chains that are less dependent on China.

Association head Kenji Nakanishi said Kanagawa is home to the well-known Hakone hot springs, and expressed hope that the Japanese town and Taipei’s Beitou District （北投）, also known for hot springs, could establish a relationship.

The idea received enthusiastic support at a meeting with the Taipei Hot Springs Association and other organizations, he said, adding that he hopes Hakone and Beitou could sign a memorandum of understanding at a celebration marking the association’s 60th anniversary on Nov. 27.

Nakanishi said that Taiwan’s economy has been driven by its AI and semiconductor industries, while TSMC’s investment in Kumamoto Prefecture has helped revitalize the economy on Kyushu and contributed to Japan’s broader economic growth.

Beyond AI and semiconductors, there is room for cooperation in fields such as space and quantum technology, he said, expressing hope that the two sides can further deepen Taiwan-Japan ties.

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