Japan aims to triple sales of domestically produced microchips to 15 trillion yen by 2030

Japan’s industry ministry said on Monday it aims to triple sales of Japanese-made semiconductors to 15 trillion yen (about 9,285,004,593,300 crore rupees) by 2030, as Tokyo s is working to boost domestic microchip production following groans from the global supply chain.

Japan views microchips as strategic commodities to bolster its economic security and provides large subsidies to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and others to build factories in Japan or expand existing ones.

The ministry plans to enshrine the sales target in Japan’s semiconductor and digital industry strategy, which will be updated by the middle of the year.

Japan saw its share of the global microchip market fall from 50% in the late 1980s to around 10%, overtaken by more nimble, deep-pocketed rivals like Samsung Electronics in South Korea.

Japan last week said it would restrict exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, aligning its technology trade controls with a US push to limit China’s ability to make advanced chips.

Japan, home to the world’s major chip-equipment makers such as Nikon and Tokyo Electron, did not specify China as a target of the measures, saying equipment makers should apply for export clearance for all chips. regions.

“We assume our responsibility as a technological nation to contribute to international peace and stability,” Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said at a press conference.

Japan wants to end the use of advanced technologies for military purposes and has no particular country in mind with such measures, he said.

---