TSMC plans to build a factory in Japan to make chips for Sony

TSMC is reportedly considering building its first chip manufacturing plant in Japan, a plan that benefits at a time when the Japanese government is urging companies to expand their semiconductor production in Japan. TSMC's planned plant will be close to one of Sony's, helping to meet the growing demand for image sensors, automotive microcontrollers and other chips, according to sources.

TSMC, a major supplier to Sony and other Japanese chipmakers, is evaluating plans to build a plant in (Kumamoto Prefecture), Kumamoto prefecture in western Japan, close to Sony's plant to meet its capacity needs.

TSMC is considering the Japanese government's proposal to build an advanced chip factory in Japan, although it has not yet fully committed and finalized the plant plan. " One of the sources revealed.

It is understood that the initial plan for TSMC's Kumamoto plant is to build a 12-inch wafer that can switch between different process technologies, including 28nm and 16nm production technologies.

TSMC also announced earlier that it would spend 18.6 billion yen ($170 million) to set up an R & D center in Japan to jointly develop semiconductor materials and tools with some Japanese suppliers.

If the plan is carried out smoothly, it will be TSMC's first wafer manufacturing plant in Japan, and this can better see a change in TSMC's next plant construction strategy. in the future, most of the production may no longer be maintained in Taiwan.

TSMC also announced last year that it would invest between $10 billion and $12 billion to build a chip plant in Phoenix, Arizona.