The 47th Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference kicked off on Tuesday, showcasing the positive developments in bilateral relations with the two sides signing a Memorandum of Understanding for customs cooperation between the Keelung Customs Office and Yokohama Customs Office.
Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Chairman Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) and Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi presided over the conference. In his speech, Su called on Japan to continue to support Taiwan in its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Su pointed out that Taiwan and Japan play important roles in the global trade and supply chains. He said that Taiwan can contribute to sustainable economic development and strengthen the resilience of global and regional supply chains through its participation in the CPTPP.
Su added that Taiwan and Japan are important economic and trade partners with complementary industries, as can be seen in the close cooperation in the fields of semiconductors, and transportation among others.
In response, Ohashi reaffirmed the strength of Japan’s and Taiwan’s cooperation, saying that their strong economic relations can be a model for the world. Ohashi said that future prospects look exciting and highlighted the smooth progress in the set-up of Taiwanese companies in Japan, referring to TSMC's new wafer plant and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation's foundry. Ohashi also mentioned the expanding collaboration between the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation and the Central Japan Railway Company.
