US and Japan Collaborate on Joint Research for 2nm Next-Gen Semiconductor Mass Production... Establish New Development Hub in Japan

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunjin Jeong] The governments of the United States and Japan are starting joint research for the mass production of next-generation semiconductors used in quantum computers and other technologies. Japan will establish a research and development base within this year and prepare for mass production by 2025, aiming to further strengthen semiconductor cooperation between the two countries.

According to reports from Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun on the 29th, the US and Japanese governments plan to include this in a joint document at the first-ever "Economic Policy Consultation Committee (Economic 2+2 Meeting)" held in Washington DC, attended by foreign and economic ministers. After Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda pledged semiconductor cooperation in May, the US and Japan agreed on the specific details of the Economic 2+2 meeting during President Joe Biden's visit to Japan that same month.

According to the reports, Japan plans to establish a new research institution called the "Next-Generation Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology Development Center (tentative name)" by the end of the year, collaborating with national research institutions such as the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, RIKEN, and the University of Tokyo. Talent and technology from the US National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) are also expected to participate in building the manufacturing base and subsequent joint development.

The joint research between the US and Japan focuses on next-generation semiconductors at the 2-nanometer (nm; 1 nanometer is one billionth of a meter) scale. The smaller the circuit width of a semiconductor, the higher its performance and the lower its power consumption. Globally, only Taiwan's TSMC and Samsung Electronics in South Korea can produce semiconductors below 5 nanometers. The US and Japan currently rely heavily on Taiwan for advanced semiconductors, but since Taiwan cannot be free from China's influence, both countries have concerns from a national security perspective.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, "The goal is to create a situation where a certain amount of advanced semiconductors can be procured from the US and Japan even if a similar incident occurs in Taiwan."

Private companies may also participate in the newly established research institution. The research fields include ▲ semiconductor design ▲ development of manufacturing equipment and materials ▲ establishment of manufacturing lines. Nihon Keizai Shimbun added, "We will request cooperation from companies in countries and regions that share values, such as Taiwan and South Korea."

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