Huawei Chairman Howard Liang announced that 2024 revenue exceeded CNY860 billion (approx. US$118.6 billion) at the Guangdong Provincial Conference on high-quality development, driven by strong ICT infrastructure, a recovering consumer business, and rapid smart EV growth
Murata Manufacturing posted a consolidated operating profit of JPY234.1 billion (US$1.508 billion) for the April–December 2024 period, reflecting an 8.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Net profit rose 15% to JPY201.3 billion, marking the company's first annual profit rebound in three years for this reporting period
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's introduction of a cost-efficient, open-source AI model is creating a significant impact in the US tech industry, with implications for Taiwan's AI server supply chain. While some industry observers consider this development disruptive, experts view it as a catalyst for AI application development. The emergence of DeepSeek highlights the increasing importance of open-source AI, which is set to accelerate real-world AI deployment and drive the expansion of edge computing solutions
US President Donald Trump's pledge to impose broad tariffs with a focus on US interests could potentially impact Samsung Electronics' market position. While Apple might receive exemptions for Chinese-made iPhones, this development poses significant challenges for Samsung in the US smartphone market
The merger negotiations between Honda and Nissan are facing a potential breakdown. According to Japanese news outlets, Honda proposed making Nissan a subsidiary before February 1, 2025, but Nissan strongly opposed this move as it would result in a loss of operational control, raising concerns that the merger talks could ultimately fail
On February 3, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joined SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son at a major AI briefing in Japan, attended by executives from 500 top companies. During the event, they announced the launch of their joint venture, "SB OpenAI Japan," and introduced "Cristal Intelligence," an AI tool tailored for enterprise use
Former Microsoft Windows Division president Steven Sinofsky, who played a crucial role in developing Windows 7 and Windows 8, has shared his analysis of the AI industry's current state and DeepSeek's emergence in a detailed post on X
On February 4, 2025, Chinese regulators revived their antitrust investigation into Google, following a similar probe into Nvidia announced in December 2024. The move came after Washington imposed tighter restrictions on Nvidia's advanced chips, limiting Beijing's access to critical AI hardware. The regulators had previously signaled concerns over Nvidia's market dominance in the country's semiconductor sector
As the spring begins for 2025, China's IC industry has seen a major injection of funding. Wuxi SJ Semiconductor has closed a financing agreement worth roughly US$700 million. This funding round includes contributions from BYD's fully owned investment fund, bringing significant attention to this large financial initiative
Since mid-2024, China's trade-in subsidy program has revived the TV market, with plans for expansion through 2025. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's volatile tariff policies have kept industry players cautious, maintaining steady TV panel procurement
DeepSeek's rapid ascent highlights China's growing dominance in AI. Supported by a robust ecosystem of domestic technology and resources, the startup reflects the nation's drive to build a globally competitive, innovation-led AI industry
A significant shift in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector is reshaping the semiconductor market. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, recently unveiled a large language model (LLM) that competes with those from major global players, while utilizing lower-end GPUs. This development has raised concerns among high-bandwidth memory (HBM) suppliers, as the shift could signal a potential drop in HBM prices. On the first trading day after South Korea's Lunar New Year in 2025, shares of SK Hynix fell by as much as 12%, while Samsung Electronics saw its stock drop by 4%
China's automotive chip industry is gaining momentum in 2025, driven by both external pressures and internal opportunities. In response to US restrictions, Chinese automakers are intensifying their self-developed chip production efforts, demonstrating a strategic shift toward technological independence
Amid the rapid development of dual-use technologies, the Japanese government has announced intensified regulatory measures on critical technology exports. On January 31, 2025, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) revealed a revision to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law (FEFTA) to prevent essential technologies from being diverted for military use. This regulatory overhaul targets 21 products, including advanced semiconductors and quantum computers, requiring businesses to obtain prior authorization before export
