Japan and Taiwan agreed to strengthen partnerships in economic security with a focus on supply chain resiliency for semiconductors and other essential goods. The virtual discussions were attended by members of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party.

The Taiwanese side showed strong interest in a planned bill to boost economic security, which Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration wants to submit to parliament by next year. In the meeting, the LDP accepted Taipei’s request to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement between 11 Pacific Rim countries, Masahisa Sato, Chief of the LDP Foreign Affairs Division said.