Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong held an unscheduled luncheon with a visiting delegation from Japan’s House of Councillors, discussing the outlook for semiconductors in the artificial-intelligence era, Samsung’s future strategy and cooperation with Japan. The meeting, held on the 14th and reported on Sept. 16, also covered talent development and recruitment, according to the existing account and industry sources. Kim Won-kyong, president of Samsung Electronics’ Global Public Affairs office, attended, while the substance of Lee’s responses was not disclosed. The delegation included Hiraki Daisaku of Komeito, Fukuyama Tetsuro, Kawai Takanori of the Democratic Party for the People, Umemura Mizuho of Sanseito and Japan’s ambassador to South Korea, Mizushima Koichi. The group later visited SK Group’s headquarters and met Federation of Korean Industries Chairman Ryu Jin to discuss semiconductors, AI, energy and Korea-Japan economic cooperation. It also met South Korea’s Minister of the Interior and Safety, Yoon Ho-joong, on the 15th. The luncheon followed Samsung’s opening of its Advanced Package Lab in Yokohama on the 8th. Samsung plans to invest approximately ¥40 billion, or about $257.4 million, over five years starting in 2024 to expand the facility’s advanced-packaging research infrastructure. The broader account also linked the activity to potential cooperation between Japan’s semiconductor materials and equipment sector and Samsung’s manufacturing and design capabilities, while separately detailing LS Eco Energy’s North American power-distribution business.