Enhancing Technological Cooperation: US, Japan, and South Korea's Tech Prosperity Deals in AI and Chips

In a strategic move to bolster global technological leadership, the United States has forged "Technology Prosperity Deals" (TPD) with Japan and South Korea. These agreements aim to solidify cooperation in critical sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, space, and 6G technology, alongside other emerging technologies. These partnerships are designed to strengthen strategic ties, align regulatory frameworks and standards, and support the economic and national security interests of the participating nations. This initiative comes shortly after a similar agreement was signed with the United Kingdom in September 2025 to deepen technological collaboration.

Through these partnerships, the United States seeks to leverage the unique expertise of both Japan and South Korea. Japan is distinguished by its advancements in advanced materials, robotics, and space technology, while South Korea is a global leader in memory chip and semiconductor production.

According to the White House, the Technology Prosperity Deal with Japan aims to enhance AI exports, strengthen technology protection mechanisms, and redirect focus toward developing AI standards and innovations. Concurrently, the United States and South Korea will work together to ease operational burdens on tech companies, with particular attention to removing barriers hindering "data localization engineering and innovative data hosting."

Strengthening US-Japan Technological Cooperation

The Technology Prosperity Deal between the United States and Japan deepens cooperation to drive innovations in vital areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, space, 6G technology, and fusion energy. This agreement aims to advance American interests by coordinating AI exports between the two countries, strengthening technology protection mechanisms, and reorienting the partnership between the US AI Standards and Innovation Center and the Japanese AI Safety Institute towards innovation in measurement and standards. The agreement also supports joint efforts to secure the innovation ecosystem, with a specific focus on research security, resilient biotechnology and pharmaceutical supply chains, and the protection of quantum technologies.

• Space: This cooperation includes supporting Japan's commitment to the Artemis program, including future lunar surface exploration missions and the development of commercial space capabilities.
• 6G Technology: This partnership enables both countries to accelerate the development of secure and reliable networks.
• Fusion Energy: This collaboration advances America's partnership with Japan's unique fusion energy facilities, including the JT-60SA tokamak experimental reactor, with the goal of supporting the continued development of commercial fusion reactors.

Japan and the United States seek to "strengthen frameworks and policies that support AI innovation, with the goal of building an integrated AI ecosystem led by both nations. This includes encouraging exports across the full spectrum of American and Japanese AI infrastructure, including hardware, models, software, applications, and related standards."

The White House also stated that the partnership agreement with South Korea will serve American interests by coordinating AI exports between the United States and the Republic of Korea. The agreement also includes strengthening export controls and enforcement for both countries, and reorienting the partnership between the US AI Standards and Innovation Center and the Korean AI Safety Institute toward developing measurements and AI innovations.

Developing the US-South Korea Technology Partnership

The Technology Prosperity Deal between the United States and the Republic of Korea aims to ease operational burdens on technology companies and digital application platforms, with a particular focus on removing obstacles to "data localization engineering and innovative data hosting." In addition, the agreement strengthens joint efforts to secure the innovation ecosystem, with special attention to research security, resilient biotechnology and pharmaceutical supply chains, and the protection of quantum technologies. This agreement also supports the strategic interests of the United States in space exploration and 6G communication technology, emphasizing Korea's partnership as a key ally in the region.

These agreements also address a broader strategic objective of reducing reliance on the Chinese technology supply chain and establishing rules for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. For the technology sector, these agreements are a clear signal of the importance of closely monitoring these allied markets, as cooperation can open new horizons and opportunities for startups and major technology companies alike. With the technological strategies of the United States, Japan, and South Korea converging, future innovations in AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, space, and 6G will not only stem from individual laboratory efforts but will emerge from effective strategic partnerships that seek to maintain leadership in the global technology race.