On November 1, Dr. Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang, Executive Director of the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technologies (DSET) and Leader of Economic Security, was invited to Tokyo to participate in the Japan’s Institute for Geoeconomics Annual Summit. He joined officials from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Counselor of the Netherlands Embassy in Japan to discuss semiconductor policies following the U.S. presidential election.
Dr. Chang reiterated DSET’s “Silicon Shield 2.0” strategy, emphasizing that Taiwan should collaborate with the U.S., Germany, Japan, and other TSMC investment partners to establish a new cooperation framework – one that counters China’s economic coercion and ensures supply chain resilience.
The Institute for Geoeconomics, Japan’s largest public think tank, was founded in 2022 and specializes in geopolitical economics. It focuses on technological and security strategies in the Indo-Pacific region amid U.S.-China competition. The institute’s director, Kazuto Suzuki, serves as a key adviser to the Japanese government on geopolitical affairs. In October, at DSET’s invitation, he visited Taiwan to attend the International Supply Chain Resilience Forum.
The annual summit hosted by the Institute for Geoeconomics is one of Japan’s most significant geopolitical events, bringing together government officials and industry leaders worldwide. This year’s attendees included major Japanese corporations such as Toyota, Sumitomo Corporation, and NEC, alongside government representatives from METI and the Ministry of Defense. This marked DSET’s first invitation to represent Taiwan at the summit.
Dr. Chang spoke on the summit’s first panel alongside:
- Kazumi Nishikawa, Director of the Economic Security Policy Division, METI
- Peter Van Der Hoest, Counselor at the Netherlands Embassy in Japan
- June Park, Visiting Research Fellow at South Korea’s Middle East Global Affairs Committee
Together, they discussed shifts in semiconductor policy following the U.S. election.During the forum, Dr. Chang stated:
“Geopolitical shifts present both opportunities and threats for Taiwan. Taiwan’s industry must move beyond its traditional OEM model to adapt to its new role as the world’s most critical strategic asset at the forefront of geopolitics. However, this transition requires time, and the Taiwanese government is still exploring how to strengthen international cooperation with its allies.”
On TSMC’s investments overseas, Dr. Chang reaffirmed DSET’s “Silicon Shield 2.0” strategic goal:
“Taiwan should view TSMC’s investments in Japan, the U.S., and Germany as positive developments. However, governments must develop coordinated intergovernmental strategies. For instance, in countering China’s subsidies for mature semiconductor processes, different countries may have divergent interests, and their positions may not always align. Nonetheless, democratic allies must collaborate to maintain leadership in key technologies and reduce reliance on China.”
In 2024, DSET has actively engaged with Japan’s top think tanks, inviting them to Taiwan for forums while also attending multiple conferences in Tokyo. These efforts aim to deepen Taiwan’s role in shaping regional strategy. Moving forward, DSET will continue publishing research and working with Japan on supply chain resilience and economic security.