According to the latest data from Semiconductor Association of Japan (SEAJ), sales of Japanese semiconductor equipment increased by almost 40% in August, reaching JPY347.3 billion (US$2.41 billion), a record monthly performance. It also marks the 20th month of the sector’s consecutive growth. At the same time, geopolitical whirlwinds continue to swirl around Japanese shores: as Seoul Economic Daily reports, the so-called Chip 4 alliance among Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the US held its first working-level pre-meeting on Tuesday, while US vice president Kamala Harris sought to meet Japanese semiconductor industry leaders during her 4-day Asia tour.