TSMC's Kumamoto fab aims to source 60% of equipment and materials from Japanese suppliers

[Daniel Nenni]

Yuichi Horita, the president of TSMC's subsidiary JASM

TSMC's subsidiary in Japan, Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM), has indicated that it aims to procure 60% of equipment and materials from Japanese suppliers for its 12-inch (300mm) fab currently under construction in Kumamoto Prefecture by 2030.

According to a report by Nikkei, Yuichi Horita, the president of TSMC's subsidiary JASM, mentioned during a speech at Semicon Japan 2023 that the current proportion of equipment and materials sourced from Japan for the wafer plant in Kumamoto is approximately 25%.

JASM's objective is to increase this ratio to 50% by 2026 and reach 60% by 2030. Despite various semiconductor equipment and material suppliers from Japan investing in Taiwan to serve major clients like TSMC, Horita stated that the Japanese semiconductor supply chain is still essential within Japan. He expressed hope that Japanese industry players could assist JASM in manufacturing products domestically.

As a result of several Japanese companies producing advanced semiconductor materials in Taiwan instead of Japan, the progress in refining semiconductor processes in Japan has somewhat stagnated, according to Horita. He anticipates a swift transfer of technology from sister facilities in Taiwan to the Kumamoto plant to expedite the advancement of chip manufacturing capabilities in Japan.

Additionally, he emphasized that the construction of the wafer plant in Kumamoto has progressed smoothly and is approaching completion. Equipment installation began in October 2023, and the plant is expected to begin shipments by the end of 2024, following the planned schedule.

The workforce at the Kumamoto wafer plant includes a total of 1,400 employees, consisting of 600 individuals transitioning from TSMC and Sony, and an additional 800 personnel. In the spring of 2024, as forecasted by JASM, new graduates are expected to join, with 56% of these recruits hailing from schools in Kyushu.

TSMC's Kumamoto fab aims to source 60% of equipment and materials from Japanese suppliers

TSMC's subsidiary in Japan, Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM), has indicated that it aims to procure 60% of equipment and materials from Japanese suppliers for its 12-inch (300mm) fab currently under construction in Kumamoto Prefecture by 2030.

www.digitimes.com

 

[Daniel Nenni]

It really is great to see Japan stepping up their semiconductor game. I spent quite a bit of time in Japan in the 80s-90s working with Japanese semiconductor companies. Great country, very safe, loved the food and people. There were fabs almost everywhere. Panasonic had a fab in Kyoto which was one of the nicest place I have been to.

CHAT-GPT: Japan Semiconductor History:

Japan has a rich history in the semiconductor industry, marked by significant contributions and advancements. Here's a brief overview:

1. 1950s-1960s: The semiconductor industry in Japan began to take shape in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Companies like Sony, Toshiba, and Hitachi played crucial roles in the early development of semiconductors. In 1954, Sony produced the country's first transistor radio.
2. 1960s-1970s: Japanese companies started to establish themselves as major players in the global semiconductor market. Advancements in technology and manufacturing processes led to the production of integrated circuits (ICs). Companies like NEC and Fujitsu made significant strides during this period.
3. 1980s: Japan emerged as a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry during the 1980s. Japanese companies were at the forefront of innovation, particularly in memory technologies. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) became a significant focus, and companies like Toshiba and Hitachi became leaders in this sector.
4. 1980s-1990s: The Japanese government actively supported the semiconductor industry through policies and investments. However, this period also saw tensions with the United States, as accusations of unfair trade practices and alleged dumping of semiconductors strained relations.
5. 1990s: Japan faced economic challenges during the 1990s, leading to a slowdown in the semiconductor industry. The bursting of the economic bubble had repercussions on the technology sector, but companies like NEC, Toshiba, and Fujitsu continued to be major players.
6. 2000s-present: Japanese semiconductor companies have maintained their presence in the global market, focusing on a wide range of semiconductor products. Renesas Electronics, a key player in automotive semiconductors, was formed through mergers and acquisitions.

Today, Japan continues to be a significant contributor to the semiconductor industry, with companies involved in various aspects of semiconductor manufacturing and design. The country's expertise extends to areas like memory devices, microcontrollers, and specialized semiconductor applications, particularly in automotive electronics and consumer electronics.