A serious conflict has begun between Japan and Taiwan, which are as close as brothers. On August 5, Taiwanese prosecutors announced that they had detained three former and current employees of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chip maker, for illegally obtaining information about sensitive technologies. They are said to have been accused of leaking 2 nano chip technology, a cutting-edge product from Taiwanese semiconductor company TSMC, to Japan. Taiwanese authorities announced that they had arrested three people in the past few months by investigating several bottles of suspects and obtaining evidence through house searches. Six people were originally arrested, but three were reportedly released. Sources told that Taiwan’s national security law is likely to apply for them. Taiwanese media reported that prosecutors also searched the offices of Japanese companies involved in the case.
The incident is not covered in detail in the Japanese media, as the issue is so sensitive, but the incident is currently shocking among Taiwanese. TSMC is definately a Taiwan’s pride, supplying most of the world’s high-tech semiconductors. Meanwhile, in Japan, the government and businesses are working together to make tremendous efforts in the semiconductor industry. It is of great significance that this incident occurred while Japan recently surprised the world by successfully developing high-tech semiconductor technology at a rapid pace. In Taiwan, suspicions are rampant that Japan may have achieved this success story stealing Taiwan’s technology.
In reality, this is not just a matter of technology leakage by companies. If TSMC does not have a technological advantage, Taiwan may have to worry about the existence of the country. Taiwan does not have much presence in the international community, compared to China, as proved by the fact that Taiwan has only 12 countries with diplomatic relations. It is already a common sense that China is currently trying to invade Taiwan sooner or later. So far Taiwan’s defense against Chinese invasion has received somewhat international attention because of the strategic importance of TSMC. If the strategic value of TSMC decreases a lot, no country would dare to stand for Taiwan in case of Chinese invasion. Taiwan has been the most Japan-friendly country in the world. However, Taiwan begins to realize that the best friend of Japan is stealing the very important asset from Taiwan. This crime by the so-called “best friend” surely brings great shock and fear to Taiwanese and let Taiwanese ask themselves one question now “who should we rely on now?”
