TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan and Japan must forge a stronger semiconductor alliance to secure the future of global technology supply chains, declared Akira Amari (甘利明), Japan's former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, during a high-profile technology forum in Taipei on Friday (March 28). Speaking at the "Taiwan-Japan Technology Future Forum" (台日科技未來論壇), Amari underscored the critical importance of collaborative efforts in delivering world-class semiconductor products amid an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape that threatens the digital transformation era.
The Japanese statesman sounded a clear alarm about potential threats posed by China's DeepSeek AI technology, emphasizing that Taiwan-Japan cooperation is essential for establishing a safer artificial intelligence ecosystem. The prestigious gathering, organized by the Indo-Pacific Strategic Institute (印太智庫論壇) at Taipei's iconic Grand Hotel (圓山大飯店), brought together influential voices in the technology and security sectors, including telecommunications pioneer Yukio Sato (千本倖生), co-founder of KDDI Corporation, and Kiyofumi Iwata (岩田清文), who previously served as Chief of Staff for Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force.
In his address, Amari offered effusive praise for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC, 台積電), acknowledging the company's unparalleled excellence in high-end semiconductor fabrication that has positioned Taiwan at the center of global technology supply chains. The former minister voiced skepticism about American workforce attitudes in the semiconductor sector while candidly questioning Japan's ability to replicate Taiwan's renowned manufacturing discipline and commitment. Despite characterizing TSMC as both Taiwan's national pride and strategic shield, Amari identified a critical vulnerability in the industry's heavy dependence on American firms like NVIDIA (輝達) for advanced chip designs—a situation he described as increasingly precarious in today's rapidly digitalizing global economy.
According to Amari, Japan's creation of the semiconductor manufacturer Rapidus represents a strategic move to complement TSMC's production capabilities while enhancing supply chain resilience critical for digital transformation initiatives. This parallel development, he explained, serves the dual purpose of mitigating concentration risks while safeguarding the technological foundations of free and democratic societies. The veteran politician made a compelling case for international cooperation among leading semiconductor firms, arguing that such alliances are essential to prevent both unwanted technology transfers and the weaponization of critical components for political leverage in the increasingly contested technological landscape.
