Japan to Strengthen Its Own Competitiveness Following TSMC Attraction... Semiconductor Specialist Workforce Development

Establishment of Semiconductor Specialized Courses at 8 Vocational High Schools in the Kyushu Region

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government, which has been strengthening its semiconductor competitiveness by attracting Taiwan's TSMC, is now focusing on cultivating semiconductor specialists.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 3rd, the Japanese government has decided to establish educational programs related to semiconductor manufacturing and development at specialized high schools to train semiconductor professionals.

Japan's Kosen (technical colleges) are five-year educational institutions entered after junior high school graduation, combining the functions of Korea's vocational high schools and junior colleges.

Although Kosen schools offer courses in subjects such as machinery, electronics, and chemistry, semiconductor-focused education has hardly been provided until now.

The Japanese government plans to introduce semiconductor-related curricula at eight specialized high schools in the Kyushu region as early as this year.

The Kyushu region is adjacent to Kumamoto Prefecture, where Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest foundry (contract manufacturing) company, is establishing its first overseas factory.

TSMC began construction this year and plans to produce semiconductor products with 22 to 28 nanometers (1 nm = one billionth of a meter) technology from the end of 2024.

The Japanese government aims to establish semiconductor courses at eight Kosen schools across six major areas in Kyushu, including Kumamoto, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima, turning them into hubs for semiconductor specialist training.

The specific curriculum of the newly established courses, focused on semiconductor-specialized knowledge and skills, is expected to be developed through consultations with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and semiconductor development and manufacturing companies that will utilize the workforce in the future.

Meanwhile, Japan, which once dominated the semiconductor market in the 1980s by supplying about 50% of the world's semiconductor demand, currently relies on imports for more than 60% of its domestic semiconductor needs, reflecting a weakened semiconductor industry base.

Since last year, when semiconductor shortages and supply chain issues emerged prominently due to digitalization progress and the US-China rivalry, the Japanese government has begun to refocus on policies to nurture its vulnerable semiconductor industry.

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