Japanese semiconductor policy: Achievements and next steps

4 years have passed since the Japanese government has significantly stepped up its effort to revitalize its semiconductor industry.

One of the first steps of the country’s revitalization strategy was the TSMC Kumamoto project, which vitalized the local economy by creating new jobs and boosting related investments. Japan’s policy mix of supporting infrastructure investment and human talent training programs has opened up a new phase of the country’s growth strategy. 

Rapidus, an ambitious challenge of cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing, is now at a stage of shifting its phase from R&D to mass production and capacity expansion.

The Japanese government has recently passed legislation that secures a 7-year budget of more than 10 trillion yen to continue massive investment in semiconductor and AI industry sector. The legislation, which was supported by an overwhelming majority vote of seven ruling and opposition political parties, will enable the country to provide capital and loan guarantees to Rapidus for its mass production.

The session will provide an overview of what the Japan has accomplished in the recent 4 years, and what its next steps would be.