Micron Technology wants to invest up to 500 billion yen ($3.6 billion) in Japan over the next four years, with government help. This action is intended to increase Japan’s footprint in next-generation memory chips and represents Japan’s efforts to bolster its semiconductor industry and chip supply chain despite US-China tensions.
Micron plans to introduce extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology to Japan in order to produce the next generation of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips, known as 1-gamma chips, at its Hiroshima plant. From 2025, the business aims to commence EUV production on the 1-gamma node in Taiwan and Japan. Micron is Japan’s sole DRAM manufacturer and will be the first to introduce EUV chip-making equipment to the country.
Following a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and officials from key chip manufacturers such as Micron, TSMC, Samsung, and Intel, the investment announcement was made. Micron’s commitment is Japan’s first tangible investment commitment. Japan has been actively promoting its chip sector, with measures such as 2-nanometer chip development and subsidies for chip research institutes and plants. Micron’s investment in Japan is seen as an example of allies working together to advance cutting-edge technologies.
