Economic Minister Kuo Jyh-huei received a delegation from the Kyushu Regional Strategy Council Feb. 11 in Taipei City and expressed hope of expanding Taiwan-Japan semiconductor supply chain cooperation.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the group was led by Sumio Kuratomi, chair of the Kyushu Economic Federation, and comprised local government officials and business representatives from the Japanese island.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues spanning semiconductor supply chain resilience, bilateral industrial cooperation and Japan’s investment environment, among others.
Kuo stated that Taiwan plays a crucial role in the global semiconductor supply chain, boasting a comprehensive industry ecosystem that spans all segments of the sector. He added that Kyushu is a key hub for Japan’s semiconductor industry, and the two sides share strong complementary advantages.
The MOEA is planning to set up a Taiwan trade and investment center in Fukuoka to help the country’s semiconductor and artificial intelligence firms expand their presence in Japan, Kuo said. The office will also work to integrate ministerial resources, formulate plans to promote semiconductor supply chain cooperation and facilitate AI, robot and drone applications, he added.
In response, Kuratomi said under the New Silicon Island Kyushu Grand Design plan proposed by the council in 2024, the region is gearing up infrastructure development, talent cultivation and industrial innovation while seeking enhanced cooperation with Taiwan.
He praised the wafer fabrication plants by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest contract chipmaker, in the southern Kyushu city of Kumamoto as a shining example of mutually beneficial cooperation that will help drive the local sector’s growth.
Shunji Kono, governor of Miyazaki prefecture, said Taiwan and Kyushu enjoy frequent, close exchanges across the board. Kyushu is an ideal location for manufacturers, he said, adding that he looks forward to deepening supply chain collaboration with Taiwan. (SFC-E)
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