Interview: A security cooperation plan between China and semiconductors = Mr. Amari

[Tokyo 25th Reuters]-Chairman of the “Rule Formation Strategy Council” in the Liberal Democratic Party, Chairman of Toshiaki Amari (Chairman of the Tax Investigation Committee), with Japanese in mind, Japanese companies involved in joint research with the United States are outside the US technology allies In order to prevent leaks, he indicated that it was necessary to strengthen the specifications and operation of the in-house firewall. On the other hand, he said that he would consider technical cooperation with China for environmentally friendly vehicles and contract manufacturing of semiconductors outside the cutting-edge field for the Japan-China summit next spring.

<Cooperating with China in fields other than high-tech with security in mind>

“Economic policy, foreign policy and trade policy are intertwined in the world. As the United States is strengthening the National Economic Council (NEC), close information on the economy, foreign policy and trade. An exchange is necessary. "

In the United States, we are nervous about avoiding information leakage to China in the high-tech field. Mr. Amari expressed the basic recognition that Japan would also focus on business cooperation in non-technical fields with China in the sense that it would not raise concern for the United States.

Above all, in the semiconductor field, “the (next generation communication standard) 5G field requires the US to complete the supply chain within the alliance, and Japan must keep pace. Even one chip is spy chip. "Information will be leaked."

<Cooperation with eco-friendly vehicles and semiconductors>

In the Amari Mr. Gillen, directed to Xi Jinping, China Jintao and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of talks scheduled to visit Japan next spring, but the direction to propose cooperation in the environment enabled car with China. Toyota Motor <7203.T> has already released hybrid technology, which seems to have the aim of supporting private cooperation.

In addition, we are also looking for cooperation in semiconductor manufacturing outside of the cutting-edge fields such as 5G. A large amount of clean water is required for the semiconductor production increase planned by the Chinese government, but there is a Japanese read that China has a shortage of water even though it has people, technology and land. The idea that water-rich Japan undertakes to produce semiconductors has emerged.

However, issues remain, such as how much production capacity is still in Japan, which companies are undertaking, and how to build a system for finalizing orders, and it seems that it will still take time to make proposals as a parliament. Mr. Amari said that the Chinese side would start with a consultation about water concerns, and eventually said, “We will have such a story in talks with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry”.

(Izumi Nakagawa Makiko Yamazaki)