Japan's power semiconductor sector is moving toward consolidation, with Rohm, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi Electric entering negotiations to integrate their power chip businesses, according to Yomiuri Shimbun and Nikkei. The talks target scale in electric vehicles, AI data centers, and power infrastructure, where demand for power control semiconductors is rising.
Recent reports suggest that Volkswagen may move away from relying on Nvidia's automotive computing platforms, instead increasingly integrating Chinese-made chips into its vehicles.
As global automotive supply chain inventories normalize, the automotive semiconductor market enters a critical transition phase in 2026. DIGITIMES Research indicates that, despite slowing growth in traditional vehicle sales, software-defined vehicles (SDV) and powertrain electrification have become the two core growth drivers for automotive IDMs.
JCET, China's leading semiconductor packaging and testing provider, has launched a facility focused on automotive electronics and robotics chips, strengthening the country's vehicle-grade semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
Japanese auto parts supplier Denso has made a takeover proposal for Kyoto-based chipmaker Rohm in a deal that could reach about JPY1.3 trillion (approx. US$8.3 billion), according to reports from Nikkei and Reuters.
