U.S., Japan to cooperate on semiconductors as part of new economic dialogue

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo walk on stage to hold a joint news conference with Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Koichi Hagiuda (not pictured), during the U.S.-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee (EPCC) meeting at the State Department in Washington, U.S., July 29, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

The United States and Japan launched a new high-level economic dialogue on Friday aimed at pushing back against China and countering the disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The two long-time allies agreed to establish a new joint research center for next-generation semiconductors during the so-called economic "two-plus-two" ministerial meeting in Washington, Japanese Trade Minister Koichi Hagiuda said.