The Indo-Pacific strategic think tank and Japan's National Institute for Basic Issues will co-organize the "2026 Taiwan-Japan Science and Technology Future Forum" tomorrow, focusing on how to strengthen the resilience of the Taiwan-Japan supply chain, connect key resources of industry, academia and research, and expand opportunities for corporate cooperation. Ryoko Sakurai, chairman of the National Institute for Basic Issues, said today (10th) that in the face of China's penetration and expansion, it has entered a quasi-war state. Although the government cannot clearly advocate a "Taiwan-Japan community with a shared future," future exchanges between civil society groups will only become closer, and unity and consensus will overcome difficulties.
The Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank held a welcome dinner tonight, inviting Taiwanese and Japanese dignitaries, experts and scholars to attend the exchange. In his speech, Akio Yabata, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank, mentioned that exchanges between Taiwan and Japan are different from those in the past. The two sides are more focused on how to jointly solve problems. President Lai Ching-te also stated in his National Day speech today that Taiwan should develop science and technology as its future. Therefore, this year, Japanese defense industry officials and Self-Defense Force personnel will be invited to attend tomorrow's "Taiwan-Japan Science and Technology Future Forum" to further promote Taiwan-Japan cooperation.
Sakurai Ryoko pointed out that Taiwan and Japan are currently standing at an important international crossroads, and the choices they make will affect their continued prosperity or decline in the future. In fact, in the late Edo period, when surrounded by Western powers, Japan also faced the decision of whether to found a country. The Japanese at that time had no money and no strong military capabilities. However, everyone seriously thought about the future and believed that the country should be decided by the whole people, and they united to overcome the difficulties at that time.
Ryoko Sakurai said that now, Taiwan has entered a "quasi-war state" in the face of China's penetration, expansion and oppression. Although the government cannot clearly state that "Taiwan and Japan are a community of destiny," in order to overcome future difficulties, private think tanks will have closer exchanges and gather outstanding experts from Taiwan and Japan to discuss how to jointly create new value and a peaceful and prosperous world in the future. She also reminded Taiwanese people not to forget their roots. If Japan had not forgotten the samurai spirit after the war, the current international situation would be completely different.
Former Japan Self-Defense Force Army Commander Kiyofumi Iwata mentioned that he proposed at a forum last year that Taiwan and Japan could form a "semiconductor alliance," which turned out to be a new phenomenon. Tomorrow he is expected to share the defense prospects between Taiwan and Japan's industries. In the face of China's suppression, Taiwan and Japan must not admit defeat. "We must not let anything happen to Taiwan or Japan, and we must maintain peace between Taiwan and Japan in the world."
Wang Meihua, former minister of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said that cooperation between Taiwan and Japan is getting deeper and deeper, and the popularity of AI has also brought about huge changes in Taiwan's economy. When discussing Asian stock markets, the world often only mentions Japan and South Korea. However, according to the total market capitalization of the stock market, South Korea exceeded US$4.1 trillion in April, while Taiwan has grown to a range of US$4.6 to 4.8 trillion, because there are group forces behind it that continue to support Taiwan's industry.
The "2026 Taiwan-Japan Science and Technology Future Forum" is co-sponsored by the "Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank" and Japan's "National Institute for Basic Issues" and will debut at the Chang Wing-fat Foundation tomorrow. It is expected to invite Sakurai Ryoko, Wang Mihua, Iwata Kiyofumi, Japanese Senators Ishihira, Tani Eriko, former Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Division Intelligence Minister Nakagawa Maki, Keio University Professor Fujita Motobubu, Director of the National Defense Strategy and Resources Research Institute Su Ziyun, former National Defense University School of Political Warfare Yu Zongji, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Zhong Jiabin and others.
