Taiwan TSMC Considering Construction of Second Semiconductor Factory in Japan

TSMC Vice President Reveals on Japanese Broadcast

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] A senior official from Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company, revealed that they are considering building a second factory in Japan.

Hou Yongqing (侯永淸), Vice President of TSMC, stated this on the 8th during Japan TV Tokyo's economic news program 'World Business Satellite,' according to Taiwanese media such as United Daily News on the 11th. Vice President Hou explained that TSMC is not ruling out the construction of a new factory in Japan in addition to the semiconductor plant currently being built in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. He added that they hope to decide on whether to build another factory after assessing the performance of the Kumamoto plant.

A source mentioned that considering the support shown by Japan for TSMC's factory construction in Japan and the faster environmental impact assessment schedule compared to Taiwan, if a new factory is built, it is highly likely to be an advanced process facility. Regarding this, TSMC stated on the 9th that while they do not rule out any possibilities, there are currently no concrete plans.

Yasutoshi Nishimura (西村康稔), Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting on the 9th that he is aware of TSMC's mention of the possibility of a second factory in Japan and welcomed the fact that they are "considering (building an additional factory in Japan)."

TSMC invested $8.6 billion (approximately 11.2 trillion KRW) in constructing the factory in Kikuyomachi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Construction began in April this year. It is expected to be completed by September next year and start production in December 2024. This plant is planned to produce 55,000 wafers per month of 12nm (nanometer, one billionth of a meter), 16nm, 22nm, and 28nm products.

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