Sony and TSMC announced plans to invest approximately ¥1 trillion to establish a joint-venture plant in Kumamoto Prefecture, targeting the start of mass production of next-generation image sensors in 2029. Sony will contribute approximately 60% of the capital, while TSMC will contribute approximately 40%.
Sony and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced plans to jointly invest approximately ¥1 trillion and establish a joint venture in Kumamoto Prefecture. The new company will handle the design and manufacture of next-generation image sensors, with mass production targeted to begin in 2029. Sony will contribute approximately 60% and control management, while TSMC will contribute approximately 40%.
Production lines for the new plant will be installed at Sony’s new factory in Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, with planned capacity to process approximately 10,000 12-inch wafers per month. The Japanese government has decided on a policy to provide up to ¥60 billion in subsidies to strengthen Japan’s advanced sensor supply chain.
The partnership centers on combining Sony’s image sensor design capabilities with TSMC’s advanced process technology and large-scale mass production capacity, with the aim of expanding applications beyond smartphones into areas such as autonomous vehicles, industrial robots and Physical AI. Unlike JASM, the new company will be structured with Sony leading management.
At present, the parties are awaiting the execution of a formal agreement, government approval and finalization of the subsidy terms. Investment is expected to proceed in stages depending on future demand trends.