Taiwan and Japan semiconductor ties prompt calls for dual-use tech cooperation against China

Former Ground Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Kiyofumi Iwata issued a statement in Taipei on Thursday, noting that Taiwan and Japan are in a mutually dependent relationship regarding semiconductor manufacturing and equipment materials. He urged both sides to focus on cooperation in dual-use components and materials when facing economic coercion from China, aiming to avoid excessive political and diplomatic friction while ensuring compatibility and complementarity in military parts. Iwata’s remarks serve as both an affirmation of the complementary nature of the Taiwan-Japan industrial chain and a reminder for the two sides to seek balance in their security and diplomatic relations.

Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has become an indispensable link in the global supply chain, with companies such as TSMC and United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) holding leading positions in advanced processes and packaging technologies. Meanwhile, Japan possesses technological advantages in key raw materials and equipment, including photomasks, lithography machines, chemical gases, and high-purity silicon wafers. This complementarity in these sectors has created a tightly intertwined relationship between the two economies: Taiwanese firms require Japan’s high-end process equipment and materials, while Japan relies on Taiwan’s advanced wafer manufacturing capabilities. This mutual dependence not only enhances the industrial competitiveness of both parties but also injects resilience into regional economic stability.

However, China’s rapid rise in the semiconductor sector and its economic pressure on Taiwan have exposed both countries to more complex supply chain risks. China’s export restrictions and technological blockades against Taiwan are intended to weaken Taiwan’s influence in the global semiconductor market. Simultaneously, Taiwan is strengthening technological cooperation with the United States and other friendly nations to reduce reliance on single supply sources. In response to this situation, Iwata emphasized that deepening cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in dual-use components and materials could enhance the compatibility and complementarity of high-tech military equipment without directly provoking political conflict.

From a security perspective, Taiwan and Japan have already made substantive progress in defense cooperation, such as Japan’s support for military training in Taiwan and the transfer of military equipment technology. By focusing on dual-use technologies, the two sides could jointly develop high-performance radars, optoelectronic sensors, and advanced communication encryption systems. These technologies can serve civilian industries while providing strategic advantages in wartime. This approach would not only reduce diplomatic friction caused by direct military cooperation but also demonstrate the two sides’ shared commitment and responsibility in high-tech fields on the international stage.

For Taiwan, deepening semiconductor and military technology cooperation with Japan would strengthen its supply chain security and diversify its external defense options within the framework of the US-Japan alliance. On the other hand, two-way technological exchanges between Taiwan and Japan would help Taiwan maintain autonomy in key technologies within the global supply chain and provide a buffer against potential future international sanctions or technological blockades. From a broader perspective, this mutually dependent relationship can be viewed as a potential pillar for regional security and economic stability.

In conclusion, Iwata’s call not only highlights the complementarity of the Taiwan-Japan semiconductor industries but also provides a viable path for cooperation in the face of Chinese economic and military pressure. Through in-depth cooperation in dual-use components and materials, both sides can ensure the compatibility and complementarity of critical technologies while maintaining diplomatic balance, thereby further consolidating regional security and economic resilience. (Source: Central News Agency)