Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, recently met with a delegation from the Japanese Senate to discuss the future of the semiconductor industry and cooperation between the two countries. This meeting comes as Samsung is ramping up its investment in a research and development (R&D) hub in Yokohama, Japan, indicating Lee's proactive engagement in global private diplomacy with key political figures in Japan.
According to industry sources on September 16, Lee held a luncheon meeting with the Japanese Senate delegation on September 14 near Seoul. The delegation included prominent figures such as Hiraki Daisaku, chairman of the Komeito Party's National Assembly Strategy Committee; Fukuyama Tetsuro, vice chairman of the Senate; Kawai Takanori, secretary-general of the Constitutional Democratic Party; and Umemura Mizuho, deputy secretary-general of the Senate, along with Koichi Mizushima, the Japanese ambassador to South Korea.
From Samsung's side, Kim Won-kyung, head of Global Public Affairs, also attended the meeting.
Initially planned as a meeting primarily for Samsung's operational staff, Lee's unexpected attendance elevated the discussions. He reportedly shared insights on the company's overall business strategy and talent acquisition in response to the rapidly changing global artificial intelligence (AI) market.
Hiraki, who led the visiting delegation, commented after the meeting, "I asked about the outlook for the semiconductor industry, Samsung's overall strategy, and potential areas for cooperation with Japan, and Lee responded earnestly. It was a meaningful conversation with individuals poised to play significant roles on the global stage."
This meeting is seen as a continuation of Samsung's efforts to strengthen its semiconductor R&D network in Japan. Earlier this month, Samsung opened the Advanced Package Lab (APL) in Yokohama, committing approximately 40 billion yen (about $350 million) over the next five years. Given the necessity for technological collaboration with Japan's leading semiconductor materials and components companies, Lee appears to be actively enhancing cooperation through his connections in both political and business circles.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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