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J-STORIES - The "2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit," the largest Japan-Taiwan startup event to date, was held this week (Sept.17 and 18) in central Tokyo as over 1,000 participants from various sectors – such as politics, academia, large business, and media – engage with approximately 70 innovative startups from Taiwan and Japan looking for cross-border expansion.

This year’s summit grew further from previous iterations, incorporating cutting-edge industries such as AI, biomedical science, cybersecurity, digital services, fintech, defense, and aerospace.

Additionally, among the headlining topics were Taiwan’s already huge semiconductor supply chain and its further growth potential in the next decade. As Taiwan’s leading chipmaker TSMC, which was launched as a startup more than three decades ago with the support from the Taiwanese government, is now building factories in southern Japan, Tokyo has high hopes in Taiwan’s further investments in bumping up semiconductor production capabilities and building even more factories in Japan.

The two-day event was co-hosted by Taiwan’s National Development Council (NDC), a government body of Taiwan, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Tokyo-based media agency Pacific Bridge Media & Consulting also supported the event as a local media partner, featuring various reports and videos about the event on a special online page and bridging the gap between Taiwan’s startup leaders and the Japanese media.

At this year’s summit, not only Taiwanese entrepreneurs but also Japanese startups were invited to present alongside Taiwanese firms. This year’s summit featured a significant number of Japanese participants from financial institutions, venture capitalists, and trading companies. Japan’s increased involvement is expected to strengthen the Japan-Taiwan network and contribute to the development of an international ecosystem.

"2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit" digest video from the 17th Source: J-Stories

Minister Liu Chin-Ching of Taiwan's National Development Council delivers the opening speech at the 2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit on Sept. 17, 2024.     Photo: Emi Takahata | J-Stories (Same below) — Minister Liu Chin-Ching of Taiwan's National Development Council delivers the opening speech at the 2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit on Sept. 17, 2024. Photo: Emi Takahata | J-Stories (Same below)

To start day one, Taiwan's National Development Council (NDC) Minister Liu Chin-Ching, the Taiwanese delegation leader for this summit, took the stage. Minister Liu stated, “We are implementing the ‘Bridge Plan’ to expand innovation internationally. While we have been advancing innovation domestically in Taiwan, our future goal is to pursue international collaboration, with Japan being our first partner.” He highlighted the significance of Japan in Taiwan's collaborative efforts.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike tunes in for a video message.

A video message from Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike was shown following Lui's speech. She emphasized, “Taiwan and Japan have built a strong cooperative relationship. Let’s join forces between Tokyo and Taiwan to launch significant innovation”.

Taiwan's National Development Council minister Liu Chin-Ching presented a commemorative gift to Keiichi Yoshimura, head of the Office for Startup and Global Financial City Strategy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which co-hosted this year's event.

Headlining speakers have a collaborative chat at the Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB) in Yuraku-cho, central Tokyo. The panel discussion titled "Pioneering the Future: Market and Investment Trends in Taiwan and Japan" dives into what a Japan-Taiwan collaborative future could look like.

Later that morning, Deputy Minister Jan Fang-Guan of the National Development Council (NDC) gave a speech introducing Taiwan's innovation ecosystem. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring prominent figures in Taiwanese finance and investment, including David Weng, CEO of Taiwania Capital, who forecasted future investment trends between Japan and Taiwan.

Taiwanese startups take the stage for a group photo to kick off the summit that also invited dozens of Japanese startups that aspire to expand into Taiwan.

A team member of Taiwan-based iKala, which provides AI transformation solutions to businesses in need, gives a presentation at the summit.

Additionally, Taiwanese startups visiting Japan took the stage, while a song titled "We Are One", created for this event debuted globally.

NDC Minister Liu's press conference at the Japan National Press Club

Attendees take notes as Minister Liu Chin-Ching of the National Development Council holds a press conference at the Japan National Press Club.

In the afternoon, Minister Liu Chin-Ching of Taiwan's National Development Council held a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in central Tokyo.

During the conference, the minister in charge of Taiwan’s economic and start-up growth strategies declared that Taiwan would officially open its first overseas innovation base in Tokyo on Sept. 18, 2024.

“We aim to provide support in company registration, investment introductions, business cooperation, and IPO assistance to Japanese and Taiwanese companies, startups, and investment institutions,” he said. “We also hope to strengthen talent exchange between Japan and Taiwan and expand the market together.”

This visit marked Minister Liu’s first trip to Japan following the establishment of Taiwan’s new administration in 2024. His visit drew significant media interest with over 100 journalists (including online participants) from both domestic and international outlets in attendance.

Highlights for Day 2 (Sept. 18th)

Attendees gather to kick off Day Two of the 2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit.

Two keynote speeches addressed important themes on the second day of the summit. Alex Lee, founder and CEO of QIC (Quantum International), presented "The Reasons Why Taiwan's Semiconductor Supply Chain Market Value Will Grow Tenfold by 2033," providing insights into the growth potential of Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain.

Following this, Kei Furukawa, an investment partner at UTokyo IPC, gave a lecture titled "Innovation and Startup Development Systems at the University of Tokyo VC," discussing the advancement of innovation and entrepreneurship through collaboration between government and universities in Japan.

Additionally, there were presentations from Japanese and Taiwanese startups and innovation companies, speeches by notable guests, and more. The last day concluded with an invitation-only opening ceremony for the Taiwan Startup Tokyo Office and a gala dinner with investors.

▼For more information on the Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit 2024, please click here:

https://togethergobig.jp/en-summit

Event Overview

Name: 2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit
Date: September 17 (Tuesday) - 18 (Wednesday), 2024, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Venue: Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB) 2nd Floor (3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, in front of Yurakucho Station)
Format: On-site participation
Languages: Chinese, Japanese, and English (with simultaneous interpretation)
Organizer: Startup Island TAIWAN