TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Japanese astronaut Wakata Koichi expressed optimism for Taiwan's development in the space industry at Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry (TASTI) on Monday (Dec. 2).

Wakata said Taiwan excels in various technology sectors, especially in the semiconductor industry. Taiwan's focus on low-Earth orbit communication satellites will position it as a global space leader, per CNA.

The assembly, hosted by the Taiwan Space Agency, is being held at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center from Saturday to Wednesday. The event features international seminars, industry forums, and the "TASTI EXPO" space exhibition, with 58 corporate participants and an expected attendance of over 2,000. 

At the opening, the National Science and Technology Council Chair Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) said the government will support Taiwan's space industry. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) also emphasized the importance of communication satellites in his inauguration speech.

The agency added Wakata was the first Japanese International Space Station commander. He contributed to its construction and stayed in space for nearly 505 days.