TSMC has confirmed plans to set up a new production unit in Japan, in cooperation with Sony Semiconductor Solutions. The foundry site in Kumamoto, Japan will focus initially on 22/28nm products, with production slated to begin by the end of 2024.
SSS said it will participate as a minority shareholder in TSMC's new subsidiary Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM), investing USD 0.5 billion for a less than 20 percent equity stake. The Japanese government will also provide support for the USD 7 billion project, as part of its strategy to support expansion of the domestic chip production market.
Construction of JASM’s fab in Japan is scheduled to begin in calendar year 2022. Production capacity is planned at 45,000 12-inch wafers per month, with the site creating 1,500 direct jobs. The site will serve both Sony and other customers with chip products.
TSMC is already active in Japan since 1997. More recently, TSMC set up the Japan Design Center in 2019 to serve its global customers and is now working with Japanese partners to develop advanced packaging technology with the 3DIC Research Center in Ibaraki Prefecture.
