On 28 September 2026, Chinese media reported that Samsung Electronics planned to bring forward equipment installation for a new plant in Japan and that SK hynix had begun foundation work for a memory semiconductor plant in Japan.
Chinese media outlet Zhongxin Jingwei reported that, against a backdrop of surging demand for AI memory, Samsung Electronics is discussing with major equipment manufacturers the possibility of bringing forward equipment installation for the first mass-production line, Ph1, at P5, the fifth campus in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.
P5 is a next-generation semiconductor production hub and is reportedly targeting operations in 2028. The acceleration is believed to be aimed at meeting growing demand in the AI sector for high-value-added DRAM and NAND flash memory.
Meanwhile, Zhongxin Jingwei, citing a report by Korean media outlet SME Daily, said that SK hynix had begun foundation work in Japan's Tohoku region for the construction of a memory semiconductor plant. It is unclear whether the plant will be wholly owned by SK hynix or developed as a joint venture with Kioxia Japan, but infrastructure work has already begun, according to the report.
The reports point out that the moves by the two companies are further accelerating competition to build memory plants, alongside comments by SK hynix around a month ago that it was “considering” plant construction in Japan.