TSMC has held an opening ceremony for its majority-owned subsidiary Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (JASM) in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Accordingly, it has brought together suppliers, customers, business partners, academia, and the Japanese government.

Representatives from TSMC included TSMC Founder Dr. Morris Chang, TSMC Chairman Dr. Mark Liu, and TSMC CEO Dr. C.C. Wei. During the event, Prime Minister Kishida announced through video that the Japanese government has decided to support the newly announced expansion of JASM. Thus, reflects a concrete example of its implementation of the Domestic Investment Promotion Package formulated in December last year.

The opening marks a significant milestone for JASM. TSMC led the establishment of JASM in 2021. Thereafter, construction started in April 2022, with production targeted to begin by the end of 2024.

Recently, TSMC and minority investors Sony Semiconductor Solutions (SSS), DENSO, and Toyota also announced further investment into JASM to build a second fab. Accordingly, construction for the second fab will start by 2024, and operations towards the end of 2027.

Sophisticated, Sustainable Facility

With both fabs, JASM’s Kumamoto site will likely yield a total production capacity of more than 100,000 12-inch wafers per month. Particularly, from 40, 22/28, 12/16, and 6/7 nanometer process technologies. Their target applications include automotive, industrial, consumer and HPC-related applications.

The overall investment in JASM will exceed US$20 billion with strong support from the Japanese government. The two fabs may directly create more than 3,400 high-tech professional jobs. In line with TSMC’s commitment to green manufacturing, JASM will implement rigorous sustainability practices. Particularly, including the use of 100% renewable energy when it starts operation, replenishing more than 100% of the groundwater it uses, and building a local supply chain.

“JASM will use the latest green manufacturing practices to produce best-in-class specialty semiconductor technology that will help to unleash innovation and bolster the Japanese economy for years to come,” said TSMC Chairman Dr. Mark Liu. Furthermore, Liu said, “We are thankful for the joint efforts of our partners in Japan whose unfaltering support has contributed greatly to the success of this project.”

Distinguished guests included Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito,

Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party coalition in Semiconductor Strategy Akira Amari. In addition, Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda, Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima.

Meanwhile, representatives of key partners in establishing JASM also joined the event. They are Sony Group Corporation Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, DENSO Corporation President and COO Shinnosuke Hayashi, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, and construction partner Kajima Corporation President Hiromasa Amano.