Mr. Stephen Hsu, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in Chennai visited Mr. Kiyotaka Doho, Director General of the Chennai Office of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and his colleagues on the afternoon of May 13, 2026. The two sides held extensive discussions on the current status of Taiwan-Japan economic and trade cooperation, Japanese companies’ investment presence in South India, the operation of the two countries’ chambers of commerce, and the promotion of future cooperation with third countries. DG Hsu stated that Taiwan and Japan have long shared core values such as democracy, freedom, and a market economy. Both countries are located in strategically important positions along the First Island Chain in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan and Japan are highly complementary in areas such as semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, and supply chain resilience. Given their close security and economic ties, the two sides should work together to strengthen democratic resilience, enhance economic security, and build a sustainable and prosperous regional order. DG Hsu also emphasized that amid global supply chain restructuring and geopolitical changes, Taiwan-Japan cooperation has become increasingly important. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Lin Chia-lung attaches great importance to relations with Japan and has been actively promoting “integrated diplomacy” and the “Three Chains Strategy.” Through these initiatives, Taiwan hopes to work with like-minded countries to build a more resilient and reliable partnership network and jointly contribute to prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Director General Doho introduced the investment landscape of Japanese companies in South India, particularly in Chennai and its surrounding areas. He noted that industries such as automobiles, motorcycles, and electronics have continued to expand their presence in recent years, making South India an important production and operational base for Japanese enterprises. The two sides also exchanged views on how to promote closer cooperation among Taiwanese companies, Japanese companies, and enterprises from third countries in South India. In addition, both sides discussed the current membership composition and operation of the Taiwanese and Japanese chambers of commerce. They agreed that chamber platforms could be further utilized to strengthen business exchanges and information sharing. They also explored the possibility of working with India and other like-minded countries in the future to promote trilateral or multilateral cooperation mechanisms and jointly expand business opportunities in the New Southbound and Indo-Pacific markets.
