Semiconductors

Rapidus is already in talks to supply next-generation chips to major clients in the U.S., according to President and CEO Atsuyoshi Koike. (Photo by Jun Takai)
Interview

Japan's Rapidus in talks to supply chips to U.S. tech giants: CEO

Company aims to enrich people's lives and make them happy, Atsuyoshi Koike says

25 July 2023
Japan now requires export licenses for semiconductor-manufacturing equipment. (Photo by Masayuki Kozono)
Semiconductors

Japan's new chip equipment export rules take effect Sunday

Tokyo aligns with Washington to keep most advanced technology out of China's hands

23 July 2023
AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su says the semiconductor market for accelerating capabilities of data centers will grow around 50% over the next three or four years. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Semiconductors

AMD will consider 'other' partner foundries to TSMC: CEO

U.S. chipmaker is open to diversifying foundries amid Taiwan risks

21 July 2023
U.S. semiconductor subsidies aren't just for domestic factories: Washington will pay foreign friends to invest in chips, something Asia should exploit, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in Vietnam. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Semiconductors

Yellen urges Asia to tap CHIPS Act funds for semiconductors

U.S. Treasury Secretary also says Amkor plans mega chip plant in Vietnam

21 July 2023
Chris Miller, top left, and Nikkei Asia tech correspondents talk about the semiconductor industry during a Nikkei webinar.
Semiconductors

Revealing untold stories of the chip war with Chris Miller

A peek into the global battle for semiconductor dominance

21 July 2023
The Maldives flag flies over the capital of Male. The Indian Ocean nation is known as a tourist destination but is also a key shipping point. (Nikkei photo)
Semiconductors

Maldives: Small island nation with big role shipping chips to Russia

$53m of chips transited Indian Ocean country 1 year after invasion, data shows

21 July 2023
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has posted its sharpest year-on-year drop in quarterly profit since early 2019 amid a persistent semiconductor market slump. (Photo courtesy of TSMC)
Semiconductors

TSMC's woes signal global chip slump extending throughout year

Generative AI not expected to fully offset weak demand from PCs and smartphones

21 July 2023
Sluggish demand for smartphones and other consumer electronics contributed to a 23.3% decline in TSMC net profits during the April-June quarter.
Semiconductors

TSMC delays U.S. chip plant start to 2025 due to labor shortages

Taiwan chipmaker logs quarterly net profit drop on consumer electronics slump

20 July 2023
SMIC's headquarters as seen in Shanghai. China's contract chip leader has gone through three chairmen in as many years. (Photo by Yusho Cho)
Semiconductors

Top Chinese chipmaker SMIC installs new chairman

Government insider Liu Xunfeng elevated amid domestic production push

19 July 2023
Rohm and Toshiba both produce power devices, though they currently focus on different types of clients. (Photo by Hiromasa Matsuura)
Toshiba in turmoil

Japan's Rohm to contribute over $2bn toward Toshiba buyout

Chipmaker eyes synergies in key power device operations

19 July 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan wear wristbands for the COP28 climate conference at a meeting in Abu Dhabi on July 17.
International relations

Japan seeks UAE investments in chips, batteries via new framework

Tokyo offers support with ammonia tech for gradual decarbonization

18 July 2023
A semiconductor chip designer works on a computer component in the Indian city of Bangalore. Japan and India hope to bolster partnerships between businesses from their two countries for advanced industries.
Semiconductors

Japan and India to discuss joint chip, hydrogen development

Tokyo sees chance to provide infrastructure assistance, improve supply chains

17 July 2023
Demand for Apple and other electronic devices has cooled following the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Hideaki Ryugen)
Technology

TSMC, Foxconn hit in biggest Taiwan tech slump in 10 years

Industry's sales fall 20% in June on weak global demand for electronic devices

13 July 2023
Sumco's silicon wafers, one of the fundamental building blocks of semiconductors. Japan considers the domestic production of semiconductor materials as vital for the country's economic security. (Photo courtesy of Sumco)
Semiconductors

Japan to give $530m for new Sumco silicon wafer plants at home

Subsidy part of country's plans to bolster semiconductor supply chain

11 July 2023
In 2022, Foxconn had signed an agreement with India's Vedanta to set up semiconductor and display production plants in the Indian state of Gujarat. (Source photos by Getty Images and courtesy of Vedanta) 
Semiconductors

Foxconn withdraws from $19.5bn chip JV with India's Vedanta

Departure dampens New Delhi's efforts to make country a semiconductor hub

10 July 2023
U.S. Treasury Department officials in June asked banks and regulators in Hong Kong to help identify high-tech American items from being shipped to Russia via the city. 
Semiconductors

U.S. Treasury warned Hong Kong banks on tech exports to Russia

Officials, others pressed to comply with curbs on shipments of 'dual-use' goods

6 July 2023
China has released a new set of export control rules aimed at limiting exports of gallium and germanium and several compound metals. (Source photos by Getty and AP)
Semiconductors

China's chip material export curbs: 4 things to know

Restrictions on gallium and germanium shipments pose risks for global supply chain

4 July 2023
Beijing announced restrictions on the chipmaking material gallium days after reports that Washington is looking to tighten trade curbs against China's tech industry.
Semiconductors

China limits exports of chipmaking metals in trade spat with U.S.

Beijing's move follows talk of new semiconductor controls by Washington

4 July 2023
Chinese chipmaker Huahong Group expects to raise more than $2 billion when it lists on Shanghai's STAR market. (Photo by Shunsuke Tabeta)
Semiconductors

China chipmakers line up $8bn via IPOs in comeback from U.S. curbs

Domestic sales grow as companies focus on mature tech to skirt sanctions

1 July 2023
Following Japan and the U.S., the Netherlands has announced further export controls on chip tools that will restrain China's semiconductor ambitions. (Source photos by Getty and AP)
Semiconductors

Netherlands unveils chip tool export curbs in fresh blow to China

News follows similar moves by U.S. and Japan as tech tensions ramp up

30 June 2023
YMTC Chairman Chen Nanxiang says competition, innovation, the free flow of talent and resource allocations -- what he calls the core values of globalization -- have been disrupted. (Source photo by Reuters and logo from YMTC's website)
Semiconductors

China chipmaker YMTC warns of 'turmoil and disarray' for industry

Chairman urges suppliers to treat his company 'fairly' as political tensions rise

29 June 2023
Construction of TSMC's chip plant in Arizona has already fallen behind schedule due to labor shortages and other factors. (Photo by Cheng Ting-Fang )
Semiconductors

TSMC to send hundreds more workers to speed U.S. plant construction

World's largest contract chipmaker faces delays in Arizona project as market slows

29 June 2023
Japan and Europe, along with the U.S., aim to ensure a secure and balanced supply of vital semiconductors.
Semiconductors

Japan and EU to share chip subsidy info to disperse production

Three-way exchange with U.S. aims for better supply chain distribution

29 June 2023
Samsung Electronics has its eyes on global foundry chip leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Semiconductors

Samsung to apply advanced 2-nm semiconductors to mobile in 2025

South Korean chipmaker keen to overtake TSMC in foundry market in 5 years

28 June 2023
R&D investment is growing even more important in the semiconductor industry as chips become more advanced. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Semiconductors

Japan's JSR takeover aims to fortify chip supply chain

Materials maker approached state-backed fund last year on possible deal

27 June 2023