Global Semiconductor Companies Concentrate in Japan... US Micron Also Invests 8 Trillion Won to Build New Factory

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Micron, the world's third-largest memory semiconductor company based in the United States, is constructing a new DRAM factory in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Major global semiconductor companies, including Taiwan's TSMC, which recently announced plans to build a factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, are flocking to Japan.

On the 20th, foreign media cited the Nikkan Kogyo (Japan Industrial) Newspaper reporting that "Micron plans to purchase factory land near its existing facility in Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture."

The investment scale is up to 800 billion yen (approximately 8.1924 trillion KRW). The new factory is expected to start operations around 2024 and will play a role in meeting mid- to long-term DRAM demand for data centers and other equipment.

The Nikkan Kogyo Newspaper stated, "The new factory is expected to create 2,000 to 3,000 jobs," and added, "The Japanese government may provide subsidies for this factory."

On the 14th, Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company, announced plans to establish a factory producing 22 to 28 nanometer (nm = one billionth of a meter) process semiconductors in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

TSMC will begin construction next year and plans to start mass production in 2024. The Japanese government is reportedly considering supporting 500 billion yen, about half of the investment amount for this factory.

Local media pointed out that "depending on how the government provides subsidies, there could be controversy over whether it complies with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.