Intel Corp
Under the leadership of Kunimasa Suzuki, who heads Intel's operations in Japan, this consortium plans to allocate tens of billions of yen-potentially over 10 billion yen ($65 million)-to achieve operational technology by 2028.
The focus is to enhance the traditionally labor-intensive back-end steps, such as chip stacking, which are crucial as front-end techniques like circuit formation approach their physical limitations, Nikkei Asia reports.
This strategic move aims to mitigate geopolitical risks in the U.S. and Japan's semiconductor supply chains by transitioning back-end production tasks, usually performed in labor-rich countries like China and Southeast Asia, to automated systems suitable for higher-cost locations like the U.S. and Japan.
The collaboration anticipates setting up a prototype automated back-end production line in Japan within the next few years, with plans to standardize the technology for seamless integration across manufacturing, inspection, and handling processes.
The project is financially supported by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and may receive governmental funding of several tens of billions of yen.
Microsoft Corp
During Kishida's visit to the Kumamoto plant, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co
The Japanese government has heavily backed this venture, contributing ¥476 billion ($3.1 billion) to establish TSMC's first factory and an additional ¥732 billion in subsidies for a second fabrication plant in the area.
Amazon.Com Inc
Price Action: INTC shares traded lower by 0.24% at $30.90 at the last check Tuesday.