TSMC plans new chip factory with Sony in western Japan
Apple chip partner TSMC may work with Sony on a new semiconductor factory in Japan, as part of a $7 billion investment that could start production of chips by 2024.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co is reportedly in talks with Sony Group to potentially construct a semiconductor factory in western Japan. The facility, which could become TSMC's first operation in Japan, is seemingly targeting chip production for automotive purposes, among other uses.
The project is expected to cost around 800 billion yen ($7 billion), sources of Nikkei reveal. The Japanese government is apparently expected to produce up to half of the total investment's value, with Sony potentially taking only a minority stake in the operation.
If approved, the factory will be constructed in Kumamoto Prefecture on land owned by Sony, near to its existing image sensor factory. One of the potential uses for the produced semiconductors is camera image sensors, the sources say, which could lead to the factory working with Sony's nearby facility in some way.
TSMC and Sony may not be the only companies involved in the project. Toyota Motor Group member Denso is allegedly keen to take part, possibly to gain a stable chip supply for auto parts.
Given Apple's connection to TSMC, it's entirely possible that the major customer of the chip foundry could get involved, possibly to secure its own auto chip production for the long-rumored Apple Car.
While the two companies are in talks about the partnership, it seems that there may be some time to wait before the factory becomes usable for production. People familiar with the plans believe it will start operation by 2024.
In theory, the plant may go online towards the expected tail end of the chip shortage, one that is forecast to impact manufacturing for a few years at least. Governments are trying to rectify the problem in various ways, such as the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, a $250 billion bill aiming to increase funding for domestic semiconductor production.
Read on AppleInsider
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co is reportedly in talks with Sony Group to potentially construct a semiconductor factory in western Japan. The facility, which could become TSMC's first operation in Japan, is seemingly targeting chip production for automotive purposes, among other uses.
The project is expected to cost around 800 billion yen ($7 billion), sources of Nikkei reveal. The Japanese government is apparently expected to produce up to half of the total investment's value, with Sony potentially taking only a minority stake in the operation.
If approved, the factory will be constructed in Kumamoto Prefecture on land owned by Sony, near to its existing image sensor factory. One of the potential uses for the produced semiconductors is camera image sensors, the sources say, which could lead to the factory working with Sony's nearby facility in some way.
TSMC and Sony may not be the only companies involved in the project. Toyota Motor Group member Denso is allegedly keen to take part, possibly to gain a stable chip supply for auto parts.
Given Apple's connection to TSMC, it's entirely possible that the major customer of the chip foundry could get involved, possibly to secure its own auto chip production for the long-rumored Apple Car.
While the two companies are in talks about the partnership, it seems that there may be some time to wait before the factory becomes usable for production. People familiar with the plans believe it will start operation by 2024.
In theory, the plant may go online towards the expected tail end of the chip shortage, one that is forecast to impact manufacturing for a few years at least. Governments are trying to rectify the problem in various ways, such as the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, a $250 billion bill aiming to increase funding for domestic semiconductor production.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Except American industries didn't go to China. They went to Japan and South Korea 40-50 years ago -- THEN, in later decades, they migrated to China. But, Americans are just now catching on....
The Japanese, Germans, and the Koreans currently make better cars in all price ranges, performance, fit and finish…My last American car was a Ford Mustang.
Because there are huge risks for any country in being so entirely dependent on a totalitarian regime; financially, medically, military etc. And this is what puts China in a whole other class than the other countries mentioned here, who are basically just business competitors.
And I don’t mean politics should necessarily interfere with business. There are other ways, such as tax advantages etc. But for the better of the country’s safety this can not just be left to the open market to solve. It requires political action, and it should have been taken a long time ago.
Now the country is losing the safety game too, on top of the business game. And the enemies of the US will definitely try to take advantage of that, because they are well aware of this trap the country is caught in. How could this have been missed for so long? And we’ve all known for ages that this is the way China goes to war. They control politics, business, market, people …all of it.