Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, currently visiting Japan, is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to discuss potential cooperation in reviving Japan's electronics and semiconductor industries.
Lee, who has been emphasizing the spirit of surviving through adversity, recently visited China, where he met with President Xi Jinping and other top officials. He continues to actively demonstrate his intention to expand international collaborations. This raises questions about potential adjustments to Samsung's strategy in Japan moving forward.
According to reports from South Korea's JoongAng and Maeil Business Newspaper, Lee departed for Japan on April 2, 2025, and is set to hold discussions with Prime Minister Ishiba.
At the end of 2023, Samsung decided to invest approximately US$240 million in Yokohama, Japan, to establish a research and development center for semiconductor packaging materials, components, and equipment. The Japanese government is providing nearly half of the investment as subsidies. This is likely to be a key topic during Lee's upcoming talks with Prime Minister Ishiba.
Additionally, Lee is expected to visit electronics-related companies in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as meet with senior figures from Japan's business community who were close to Samsung's late Chairman Lee Kun-hee. These figures are influential in industries such as semiconductors, mobile phones, televisions, and home appliances.
Earlier, from March 22-28, 2025, Lee visited China, where he met with top CEOs, President Xi Jinping, and other local officials. Speculation suggests Samsung intends to expand cooperation with Chinese companies in areas like automotive memory, display panels, and electric vehicle batteries.
In Japan, Lee's agenda not only includes his meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister but also focuses on expanding Samsung's electric vehicle business. Notably, there's growing speculation on whether Lee will meet with Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota, during his visit. In October 2024, Lee had a meeting with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun and Toyota's Akio Toyoda in South Korea.
Moreover, reports suggest that Samsung is planning to establish a new office space in Tokyo to facilitate business communication and collaboration with local Japanese enterprises.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
