South Korea and Japan push for $6 trillion economic bloc centered on AI and chips

South Korea and Japan are making their most ambitious push in years toward economic integration, with business leaders from both countries floating the idea of a $6 trillion combined economic bloc designed to compete on AI, semiconductors, and critical mineral supply chains. The proposal emerged from the 15th leaders’ meeting between the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), held on August 31 in Sendai, Japan. What’s on the table KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won laid out a vision that goes well beyond polite diplomatic handshakes. His proposals included sharing AI data between the two countries to help set global technology standards, promoting cross-border startup investments, and even piloting passport-free travel between major airports. In a joint statement, both chambers committed to strengthening cooperation on critical minerals and energy security. The plans specifically call for stockpiling arrangements and swap mechanisms for essential resources like crude oil and liquefied natural gas. A busy month of bilateral meetings The Sendai meeting didn’t happen in isolation. On August 21, South Korean and Japanese finance vic...