TSMC Kumamoto, Rapidus, and the race to reclaim chip sovereignty. Akira and Kyoko decode why Japan's $27B reshoring bet might actually work — and why Kumamoto is becoming the new Silicon Valley.
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Show notes
Episode 1: Why Japan's Semiconductor Comeback Is a Quiet Revolution
Hosts: Akira & Kyoko
What we cover
- Why Japan went from chip giant to chip importer in 30 years
- TSMC Kumamoto: the $7B fab that changed the calculus
- Rapidus and the 2nm race against Intel and Samsung
- Why Japan's upstream supply chain (silicon wafers, photoresists, equipment) was never lost
- Economic security as the real driver — Taiwan tensions and the China question
Key data
- Japan's reshoring commitment:
¥4 trillion ($27B) - Compared to US CHIPS Act ($52B) — Japan's % of GDP is larger
- Tokyo Electron + Lasertec dominate global semiconductor equipment niches
Why it matters
For 30 years Japan played defense in chips. Today they are playing offense. Watch Kumamoto.
This is Tech Japan Forward on J-Times.