Plans for TSMC's first plant in Kikuyo, its second plant at a nearby site, and Rapidus's plant in Hokkaido, along with massive government investment support, have been disclosed. They are portrayed as concrete examples of semiconductor production returning to Japan.
TSMC is cited as a symbol of the return of production to Japan. The company began construction of its first plant in Kikuyo in April 2022 and started producing semiconductors for automotive CMOS sensors in 2024. Investment has reached approximately ¥1.27 trillion, while the second plant is expected to involve investment of approximately ¥2.1 trillion at a nearby site. Japanese government subsidies for the first and second plants combined will total approximately ¥1.2 trillion. The resulting economic impact on Kyushu is estimated at ¥20 trillion, and production plans using the 3nm process are attracting attention. Production is scheduled to target 2028, and if next-generation logic semiconductors begin to be produced domestically, related technologies may also be drawn to Japan.
In Chitose, Hokkaido, Rapidus plans to begin 2nm production in 2027. As with TSMC, it is backed by investors including Toyota, DENSO and Sony. Total government support has reached ¥2.9 trillion. Japan is intensifying efforts to reestablish itself as a semiconductor manufacturing power, in step with the renewed recognition of the importance of domestic production from an economic security perspective.