Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo led a delegation to Japan and visited the construction site of TSMC's Kumamoto plant (JASM) on September 24. He also met with the governor of Kumamoto, Takashi Kimura. During their discussions, it was revealed that significant issues related to transportation and talent only became apparent after the construction of the JASM plant began
Amid intensifying competition in the global semiconductor market, the Japanese government has relaunched its semiconductor industry revival plan, prioritizing advanced technology development and supply chain resilience. A key objective of this initiative is to re-establish Japan's position as a leader in the global semiconductor sector
China's leading outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) companies, such as Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Technology (JCET) and Tongfu Microelectronics, are intensifying R&D efforts on wafer-level and panel-level packaging solutions while expanding domestic advanced packaging capacity to maintain international competitiveness
In the wake of TSMC's establishment of a wafer fabrication facility in Japan, Taiwanese and Japanese companies are strengthening their collaboration, particularly within the semiconductor supply chain
Recent debates in the semiconductor industry have raised concerns about a potential oversupply of high bandwidth memory (HBM). Analysts believe a key factor will be whether Samsung Electronics can secure Nvidia's validation and become a supplier, which could significantly affect the HBM market equilibrium
On August 27, Taiwan-based Power Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) and Japan-based SBI Holdings announced a termination of their collaboration on a 12-inch wafer fab in Miyagi Prefecture, which PSMC had already hinted on in March
To combat Chinese companies and satisfy future OLED demand, South Korea-based manufacturers Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD) are expediting their investments in 8.6G IT OLEDs. Additionally, LGD announced on September 26 that it has signed a deal with China-based TCL CSOT, agreeing to sell its stake in its large-sized LCD panel and module plant in Guangzhou, China
Technological breakthroughs in diamond semiconductors, known for their superior performance despite technical challenges, could lead to practical applications as early as 2025 to 2030. Several Japanese research teams continue to make significant strides in this field
Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) brands are expanding aggressively overseas, facing tariff barriers in several European and North American markets. The UK, however, has taken a different approach by welcoming these brands into its passenger vehicle market and iconic public transportation system, the double-decker bus
Japan's semiconductor industry is experiencing a significant talent shortage, with demand from chip and equipment manufacturers increasing 14-fold compared to a decade ago. Key factors driving this surge include the rise of generative AI, vehicle electrification, and heightened energy requirements. In response, Japan is expanding semiconductor manufacturing facilities in regions such as Kyushu and Hokkaido, thereby enhancing supply chain resilience
China's Huawei Technologies has overtaken Samsung Electronics and Apple for the first time to become the world's top wearable device brand in the first half of 2024, with an accumulated user base exceeding 520 million. While its smartphone business is restricted to China due to the US semiconductor ban and lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS), Huawei continues to expand its wearables, notebooks, and tablets in international markets
Huawei held its fall product launch event on September 24, showcasing several key products, including the 110-inch Smart Screen V5 Max 110, the Watch GT 5 smartwatch series, and the Zhijie R7 electric SUV coupe. However, the highly anticipated Mate 70 series was notably absent, with its release requiring more time
Semco has developed the world's first "mini oxide-based solid-state battery" capable of being integrated into wearable devices. The company is reportedly conducting product tests with customers, with mass production expected to begin as early as the first half of 2026. This development has garnered major attention due to the advantages of solid-state batteries, such as high energy density and lower fire risks
