Japan Bets on Cutting-Edge Fields to Revitalize the Semiconductor Industry

According to the August 14 report by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the government led by Sanae Takaichi has positioned the semiconductor industry as a pillar industry among its 17 strategic fields. A public-private investment roadmap indicates that the cumulative investment amount before fiscal year 2040 will reach 68 trillion yen, accounting for one-sixth of the total investment across all fields. The aim is to revitalize Japan's semiconductor industry by focusing on cutting-edge fields such as generative artificial intelligence. Rapidus is a typical example, with a manufacturing plant located in Chitose City, Hokkaido. Yamagiwa Taishir, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's parliamentary alliance for promoting semiconductor strategies, emphasized, "Mass production starting next year absolutely cannot fail. The government needs to be prepared to ensure the necessary funding is provided."