[News] TSMC to Build Third Fab in Japan? The Timing May Be Reportedly after 2030

Taiwanese Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo, who was invited to visit Japan, attended a forum on August 30 organized by the Taiwan-Japan Research Institute and delivered a keynote speech. As reported by Kyodo News citing the interview with Kuo, he indicated that TSMC plans to build a third fab in Japan, but with a projected timeline after 2030.

However, Kuo emphasized that the final decision on whether to proceed with the expansion in Japan rests with TSMC, and he refrained from discussing specific site locations.

In addition, in response to Kuo’s comments, the Ministry of Economic Affairs clarified that any details regarding TSMC’s potential third fab should be confirmed with the foundry giant itself.

Reportedly, Kumamoto Prefecture Governor Takashi Kimura visited TSMC’s headquarters on the afternoon of August 26 and held talks with TSMC’s senior executives.

Notably, Takashi Kimura, who took office in April, stated in an report from Bloomberg on May 11th that he would spare no effort to persuade TSMC to establish a third fab in the region, believing that during the preparations for TSMC’s first fab in Kumamoto, the region already possesses better-quality road and water infrastructure and an education system that better supports international school students, which could be advantageous.

TSMC’s fabs in Kikuyo Town, Kumamoto Prefecture (Kumamoto Fab 1) is set to begin mass production in Q4 (October-December), utilizing 28/22nm and 16/12nm process technologies, with a monthly production capacity of 55,000 wafers.

The Kumamoto Fab 2 is scheduled to begin construction at the end of 2024, with the goal of starting operations by the end of 2027, focusing on 6/7nm processes. The combined monthly production capacity of TSMC’s Kumamoto fab 1 and 2 is estimated to exceed 100,000 wafers.

TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei mentioned in June that after the successful operation of the first and second fabs, TSMC would consider building a third fab if it receives the approval of the local residents.

Read more

• [News] TSMC Reports No Major Damage to Kumamoto Plant after 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake near Kyushu, Japan
• [News] TSMC’s Kumamoto Fab 2 Reportedly Begins Land Preparation

(Photo credit: TSMC)