The government of Japan has announced that it will invest ¥70 billion ($500 million) in a new venture to produce advanced microchips. This latest effort by the government is part of an attempt to reassert Japan as a leading maker of bleeding-edge semiconductor products. However, the announcement, first reported by Reuters, describes this as an ‘initial’ investment, suggesting that the Japanese government could put more money on the table in the coming years.
The project involves the creation of a new company called Rapidus. Rapidus will be a joint venture between existing Japanese high-tech stalwarts such as Sony and NEC, plus Softbank, Kioxia, Mitsubishi and Toyota. There are even calls to persuade U.S. and European firms to come on board, too, according to an unidentified official who spoke to Reuters.
The Asian archipelago, which once made more than half of the world's semiconductors, is looking to revive its chip-making industry after losing ground to China and Taiwan. Concerns over the looming U.S./China trade war and threats to Taiwan also factored into the decision.
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Along with the new venture, Japan is also offering financial help to companies that plan to build new foundries in the country. For example, TSMC received ¥400 billion last year to build a plant in Kumamoto prefecture in the far southeast of Japan, on the island of Kyushu. The plant is commissioned to supply parts to Sony and local car manufacturers. This year, Micron was the recipient of a pledge for ¥46.5 billion to increase production at its plant in Hiroshima, while Kioxia and Western Digital saw a ¥93 billion subsidy to expand their output in the country.
Rapidus is expected to start producing chips during the second half of this decade. "Semiconductors are going to be a critical component for the development of new leading-edge technologies such as A.I., digital industries and in healthcare," Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura said at a news briefing.
