Secretariat, Taipei City Government

Taipei City Mayor Wan-An Chiang received a delegation led by Hiranuma Shojiro, Director of the Youth Division of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), on May 5. The two parties engaged in extensive discussions on strengthening Taiwan–Japan cooperation, enhancing semiconductor supply chain resilience, and promoting the development of young people. Mayor Chiang noted that this marked the seventh visit by an LDP Youth Division delegation since he took office, reflecting the frequent interactions and a stable, continuously deepening friendship between Taipei and the LDP Youth Division.

Addressing industry trends, Mayor Chiang observed that Taipei is actively aligning itself with global practices in smart governance and sustainable transformation. He highlighted the city’s success in securing NVIDIA's establishment of an R&D headquarters in 2026. Thanks to the supply chain benefits generated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s Kumamoto plant in Japan, Taiwan and Japan have established a close semiconductor partnership. Mayor Chiang commented that Taiwan’s research and development capabilities complement Japan’s strengths in precision manufacturing, providing a solid foundation for future cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) governance applications and energy resilience. He also remarked that in addition to partnerships in the hardware industry, cultural exchanges remain a cornerstone of efforts to strengthen Taiwan–Japan relations.

In his remarks, Director Hiranuma thanked Mayor Chiang for taking the time out of his busy schedule to receive the delegation and noted that the LDP Youth Division and Taiwan share a friendship spanning more than 50 years. Director Hiranuma also noted that the Japanese government has identified 17 strategic sectors for development, among which cooperation with Taiwan in the field of AI is a top priority. House of Representatives member Takami Yasuhiro also observed that emerging digital sectors such as AI and drones are experiencing rapid growth and that Taiwan’s achievements in semiconductors and digital development offer valuable lessons for Japan. In addition, House of Councilors member Imai Eriko, formerly the lead vocalist of the renowned Japanese music group Speed, echoed Mayor Chiang’s proposal to strengthen ties between Taipei and Japan and expressed her commitment to promoting cultural and musical exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.

During the meeting, House of  Representatives member Yamamoto Daichi inquired about Taipei City’s policies for encouraging the participation of young people in public affairs and politics. Yi-Hsi Chou, Commissioner of the Department for Youth, explained that the Department supports young people in three areas: international exchange, career development, and public affairs. The Department has also signed memoranda of understanding with prestigious international universities, including Waseda University, to provide internship opportunities for young people. Mayor Chiang concluded by emphasizing the importance of establishing a long-term liaison window between Taiwan and Japan. He remarked that through an institutionalized mechanism, international experience can be translated into knowledge to improve municipal affairs. Such efforts will help ensure that the fruits of cooperation are reflected in an enhanced quality of life for citizens and strengthen Taipei’s influence within the global city network.