SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN (2021-2025)

Author: Tran Anh Cong

ABSTRACT

Since the 1988 Agreement, US-Japan science and technology cooperation has evolved into a strategic pillar amid intensifying global technological competition. During 2021-2025, cooperation centers on four priority areas: artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, and 5G networks and digital infrastructure. The two countries not only co-develop international standards and spur innovation, but also strengthen technological autonomy, reinforce strategic supply chains, and expand regional influence which contributing to a reshaping of the global technology order.

Keywords: Cooperation; Science and Technology; United States; Japan.

REFERENCES

  1. https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/q%26a/science/Science.html
  2. https://www.energy.gov/node/4813120
  3. Smith, S. A. (2023). Artificial intelligence and U.S.–Japan relations. USJETAA. https://www.usjetaa.org/news/jets-on-japan-artificial-intelligence-and-us-japan-relations
  4. National Science Foundation. (2024, August 5). AI-ENGAGE initiative collaborative research opportunity. NSF. https://www.nsf.gov/od/oise/updates/ai-engage-encourages-collaboration-emerging-technologies
  5. National Security Innovation Network. (2025, January 22). U.S.–Japan Global Innovation Challenge. NSIN. https://nsin.mil/events/2025-01-22-us-japan-joint-challenge/
  6. White & Case LLP. (2024, February 19). AI Watch: Global regulatory tracker — G7 Hiroshima AI Process. https://www.whitecase.com/insight-our-thinking/ai-watch-global-regulatory-tracker-g7
  7. University of Tsukuba. (2025, May 16). University of Tsukuba to launch X-PAI initiative with University of Washington, NVIDIA, and Amazon. https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/news/20250516152834.html
  8. Ryousei Takano, Shinichiro Takizawa, Yusuke Tanimura, Hidemoto Nakada, and Hirotaka Ogawa. (2024). ABCI 3.0: EVOLUTION OF THE LEADING AI INFRASTRUCTURE IN JAPAN. arXiv:2411.09134v1 [cs.NI]  14 Nov 2024. https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.09134?
  9. (2024, November 5). Japan taps US chip startup Tenstorrent to help train new wave of engineers. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/technology/japan-taps-us-chip-startup-tenstorrent-help-train-new-wave-engineers-2024-11-05/
  10. Wall Street Journal. (2025, February 18). Venture fund dedicated to Japan–U.S. alliance raises $250 million. WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/articles/venture-fund-dedicated-to-japan-u-s-alliance-raises-250-million-59b4868f
  11. Lawder, D. (2023, March 28). US, Japan strike trade deal on electric vehicle battery minerals. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-japan-strike-trade-deal-electric-vehicle-battery-minerals-2023-03-28/
  12. Silicon (2022). Biden Earmarks $5bn For US Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. https://www.silicon.co.uk/e-innovation/green-it/biden-earmarks-5bn-for-us-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-441477
  13. The Japan News (2023). Japan Eyes 300,000 EV Charging Points by 2030. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20230903-134207/
  14. (2025, May 9). How Nissan intends to navigate tariffs and make its EVs great again. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/how-nissan-intends-to-navigate-trumps-tariffs-and-make-its-evs-great-again/
  15. Hayakawa, J., et al. (2025). Rapidus and Japan’s bid for semiconductor revival. In CSIS Analysis. https://www.csis.org/analysis/japan-seeks-revitalize-its-semiconductor-industry
  16. Lewis, S., & Brunnstrom, D. (2022, July 29). US, Japan to cooperate on semiconductors as part of new economic dialogue. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-japan-set-agree-joint-research-semiconductors-media-2022-07-29/
  17. VietnamPlus (2024). Các công ty Nhật Bản và Mỹ hợp tác phát triển công nghệ bán dẫn cho AI. https://www.vietnamplus.vn/cac-cong-ty-nhat-ban-va-my-hop-tac-phat-trien-cong-nghe-ban-dan-cho-ai-post963560.vnp
  18. S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan (2023). The United States and Japan Launch Landmark Education Partnerships. https://jp.usembassy.gov/us-japan-launch-landmark-education-partnerships/
  19. S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan (2023). The United States and Japan Launch Landmark Education Partnerships. https://jp.usembassy.gov/us-japan-launch-landmark-education-partnerships/
  20. GR Japan (2021). Biden-Suga, U.S.-Japan Summit Launch of the “New Era Partnership.”https://grjapan.com/insights/articles/biden-suga-us-japan-summit-launch-new-era-partnership
  21. RCR Wireless. (2025, January 22). Rakuten Mobile expands O-RAN partnership with US suppliers. https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250122/featured/rakuten-mobile-o-ran-us
  22. Business Wire. (2025, February 17). Kyocera to establish O-RU Alliance to advance 5G Open RAN deployment in collaboration with six telecom partners. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250217720582/en/Kyocera-to-Establish-O-RU-Alliance-to-Advance-5G-Open-RAN-Deployment-in-Collaboration-With-Six-Telecom-Partners
  23. ODI News. (2025, February 7). Japan backs Philippines Open RAN lab with $3M grant amid USAID shutdown. https://odinews.tech/japan-backs-philippines-open-ran-lab-with-3m-grant-amid-usaid-shutdown/