TSMC has launched mass production of chips labeled “Made in Japan”

The history of the emergence of the first TSMC enterprise in Japan was unique in its own way. Firstly, it was one of the first outside Taiwan in many years. Secondly, it received record government subsidies by Japanese standards. Secondly, its launch was carried out without deviations from the originally planned schedule. Accordingly, the JASM plant in Kumamoto began producing serial chips this week.

Image Source: TSMC

This was reported by the Asahi Shimbun with reference to representatives of JASM and local authorities. The grand opening ceremony of the first TSMC joint venture in Japan took place back in February of this year. Since then, the company has been preparing for mass production of chips and producing trial batches. TSMC representatives told the Japanese publication that JASM’s first facility in Kumamoto completed certification of all production processes and began mass production in December as planned. “JASM will become a sustainable manufacturing location for advanced semiconductor components in Japan and contribute to the development of the global semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem,” the company said in a statement.

This enterprise should eventually reach a monthly production of more than 50,000 silicon wafers using a range of lithographic standards from 28 to 12 nm. The first customers are expected to be Sony and Denso shareholders. The former needs image sensors for digital cameras, and the latter needs semiconductor components for automotive systems, since it is the largest supplier to Toyota Motor.

Construction of the second JASM facility in Kumamoto is due to start next year, and by the end of 2027 it will begin producing products using 7nm and 6nm technologies. The two facilities are capable of employing 3,400 people and processing a total of 100,000 silicon wafers each month. The fate of the third JASM plant in Japan is still being decided, but if it appears in Kumamoto Prefecture, it will not be until the next decade.