Rapidus

On 10 August 2022, Rapidus was established by eight Japanese companies with total investment of 7.3 billion yen[13] for domestic production of advanced semiconductors; with further investments totaling $36 billion expected over a decade.[14][15] Rapidus is led by Tetsuro Higashi (who formerly led Tokyo Electron)[16] and Atsuyoshi Koike (who formerly led Western Digital's Japanese subsidiary).[17] In the same year, METI and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) publicly solicited applications for advanced semiconductor development consignment projects related to strengthening the foundation of post-5G communication systems, which resulted in 70 billion yen of government subsidies for Rapidus.[18][19]

On 6 December 2022, IMEC announced it had signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Rapidus, where both companies will set up a long-term and sustainable collaboration on advanced semiconductor technologies, while Rapidus would plan to mass-produce chips in 2-nanometer technology in Japan in the latter half of 2020s.[20][21][22][23]

On 13 December 2022, IBM and Rapidus announced the development of 2 nanometer node technology, with production of the nanosheet gate-all-around FET (GAA FET) devices previously announced by IBM in 2021[12][24] to be done by Rapidus at its fab in Japan.[25][26][27][28] The 2 nm semiconductor chips which Rapidus is aiming to produce are expected to have up to 45% better performance and use 75% less energy compared to 7 nm chips on the market in 2022.[29]

In January 2023, representatives of Rapidus and IBM participated in a meeting between Japanese Trade Minister Hagiuda's successor, Yasutoshi Nishimura, and Secretary Raimondo.[30]

In February 2023, Rapidus announced the selection of a site close to the New Chitose Airport in Chitose, Hokkaido for the location of its planned factory.[31][32] Rapidus also increased its partnership with imec by joining the latter's "Core Partner Program" in April 2023,[33][34] and in the same month received additional funding of 260 billion yen from the Japanese government.[35] An estimated $37 billion in total funding is needed before Rapidus can begin production.[36]

In July 2023, Rapidus and Tokyo Electron were discussed as companies that would "play a major role" in a new memorandum of understanding between Japan and India that is expected to involve $35.9 billion of investment by Japan in India by 2027[37] and was officially signed in New Delhi by ministers Yasutoshi Nishimura and Ashwini Vaishnaw for their countries respectively.[38][39] This agreement closely followed a similar deal between the United States and India which had been reached by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June.[40][41]

Groundbreaking to begin construction on Rapidus' factory in Chitose was held in September 2023.[42] The company has reportedly been supported by around US$2.5 billion in government subsidies from the Kishida administration thus far.[43] Dutch equipment manufacturer ASML Holding announced they would also open an office in Chitose with 40-50 technical staff to assist Rapidus.[44] While full operation is not expected until 2027, a pilot line is expected to start in 2025.[45]