Japanese tech giants are starting to make their own chips

Rapidus, the Japanese semiconductor chip consortium, announced that it will establish a chip manufacturing plant in Hokkaido, the country’s northernmost region. According to the Rapidus semiconductor chip consortium, which includes 8 Japanese companies including Toyota and Sony, a chip manufacturing plant will be established in Hokkaido.

Within the scope of the investment, a budget of 5 trillion yen ($37 billion) will be allocated, including the R&D area, and will target the production of two-nanometer chips. “We are waiting for a specific plan based on the government’s budget approval procedure,” said Koike Atsuyoshi, Rapidus’ director for investment in new technology.

A JOINT VENTURE WAS ESTABLISHED

The Rapidus consortium, which is supported by the Japanese government and includes 8 Japanese companies including Toyota and Sony, was established in August 2022 after the chip crisis. Faced with a shortage of semiconductor chips across the industry, from cars, smartphones, tablets to game consoles, manufacturers are forced to invest (AA)