Tech Japan, U.S. to launch 2-nm chip mass production in 2027

[thomas]

Japan will open an R&D centre for next-generation 2-nanometer chips by the end of this year as part of the US-Japanese efforts to establish secure chip supply chains amid tensions around industry leader Taiwan. A new consortium, Rapidus Corp., set up by eight leading Japanese firms, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Sony Group Corp., aims to begin domestic production of next-generation semiconductors in 2027.

Production of advanced chips is now led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., followed by South Korea's Samsung Electronics and American company Intel. The U.S. is a hub for chip design, with the likes of Nvidia and Qualcomm. At the same time, Japanese companies such as Tokyo Electron, Screen Holdings, Shin-Etsu Chemical and JSR are highly competitive in chipmaking equipment and materials, offering fertile ground for cooperation. Japan's global market share has slumped from roughly half around 1990 to just 15% today. It was late to the division of labour that saw development and design concentrated in the U.S. and production in Taiwan.

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Japan, U.S. to launch R&D for 2-nm chip mass production

Economic and diplomatic chiefs to discuss supply chains at 2+2 meeting Friday

asia.nikkei.com

The recently established Rapidus Corp. said it would research, develop, design, manufacture and sell 2-nanometer generation chips in Japan that are vital to economic security and the country's industrial competitiveness. Rapidus is the Latin form of "rapid," a name chosen to represent the company's intention to speed up the chip production process. "Semiconductors will be the most important technology base as society is transitioning to digital," Tetsuro Higashi, chairman of the board of directors of Rapidus, said at a press conference.

New Japan consortium on advanced chips to begin production in 2027

Japan's industry minister unveils a strategy for domestic production of advanced chips through a new firm set up by eight leading Japanese companies, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Sony Group Corp., pledging to provide 70 billion yen ($494 million) in subsidies.

english.kyodonews.net

 

[Majestic]

I think this is a great initiative. Great for Japan to become established as a high level chip manufacturer, and good for production to become diversified in locations outside of Taiwan.