Hello, I am Kenji, a resident of Hong Kong. This week marks the third anniversary of the implementation of Beijing’s national security law in Hong Kong. This legislation criminalizes acts of secession, subversion, foreign collusion, and terrorism. To date, the national security force has arrested 260 individuals, including opposition politicians, activists, students, and members of civic organizations who did not meet the Chinese Communist Party’s ambiguous “patriotism” criteria. Beijing has also recently warned foreign consulates in Hong Kong to stop providing consular services to dual-national detainees as it continues to tighten its control.
As China focuses on national security and self-sufficiency, the US and its allies are engaging in “friendshoring” by including tech companies in their domestic supply chains. However, the friendshoring process is not without its challenges. A prime example is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), which is facing delays and rising costs in building its first US chip plant in Arizona. The construction is falling behind schedule due to labor shortages and a lack of expertise, as there are not enough US workers familiar with the requirements for chipmaking plants.
Choi Jin-seok, a former star of the Korean semiconductor industry, now faces potential imprisonment after being indicted in South Korea for allegedly stealing Samsung’s technology to build a copycat memory chip plant in China. The case highlights South Korea’s corporate culture and the risks associated with pushing skilled workers overseas. It also exemplifies how South Korea has become a battleground in the US-China tech war.
In a surprising move, the state-backed Japan Investment Corp. (JIC) acquired and privatized JSR, the largest producer of advanced chipmaking material photoresists. The deal was welcomed by the market, with JSR’s stock price experiencing a significant jump. The acquisition makes sense for both parties, as JSR sought protection from takeover attempts and additional investments, while JIC aligns with Tokyo’s strategy of strengthening the semiconductor supply chain.
Despite Japan’s progress in terms of women’s participation in the tech workplace, the country still lags behind in global competitiveness. Education is a significant factor, as many women’s colleges in Japan do not offer IT-related courses, and the number of women graduating with IT majors is low compared to South Korea, the US, and Europe. This poses challenges for the future of Japan’s tech workforce.
In conclusion, the implementation of Beijing’s national security law in Hong Kong has resulted in the arrest of numerous individuals and increased control over the city. The US and its allies are working on including tech companies in their supply chains, but challenges such as labor shortages and expertise gaps remain. The case of Choi Jin-seok highlights the risks associated with pushing skilled workers overseas. Japan’s acquisition of JSR aligns with its strategy of strengthening the semiconductor supply chain. However, Japan still faces challenges in improving women’s participation in the tech industry due to disparities in education.
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