[News] TSMC Sets Key Milestone in Japan as Kumamoto Fab Begins Mass Production

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Another major milestone for TSMC! According to reports from Japanese media outlets asahi news and The Tomiuri Shimnun, the Taiwanese foundry giant confirmed on December 27^th that its first fab in Kumamoto has begun mass production.

A previous report from Commercial Times indicated that the initial orders are expected to be supplied to Japanese tech giants Sony and Denso. The production line will be able to deliver the same quality as those in Taiwan, the report noted.

As per asahi news and The Tomiuri Shimnun, the information, later confirmed by TSMC, was first revealed by Kumamoto Prefecture Governor Takashi Kimura during a regular press conference today, saying that the prefecture was notified on the 23rd that mass production had kicked off.

The new facility, as TSMC’s first base in Japan, is expected to feature 22/28 nm and 12/16nm nodes, with a planned monthly capacity of 55,000 wafers.

The report from Tomiuri Shimnun notes that the fab will produce image sensors and automotive semiconductors, with an investment of approximately 1.3 trillion yen. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, on the other hand, is providing subsidies of up to 476 billion yen, the report adds.

According to Tomiuri Shimnun, citing the Kyushu Economic Research Association, the economic spillover effect of TSMC’s expansion will total 23 trillion yen (roughly USD 146 billion) over the 10-year period from 2021 to 2030.

Notably, according to Commercial Times, TSMC’s second fab in Kumamoto is scheduled to begin mass production by the end of 2027, extending its process capabilities to 6/7nm. As per Commercial Times, the plant’s layout is under planning currently, with the construction expected to start in the first quarter of 2025.

As for the timetable of TSMC’s third fab in Japan, the projected timeline may be reportedly after 2030.

Read more

• [News] TSMC’s Kumamoto Plant to Secure Initial Orders from Sony and Denso as Mass Production Nears
• [News] TSMC’s 2nm Trial Yield Reportedly Exceeds 60%, While Ex-Intel CEO Gelsinger Questions Metrics

(Photo credit: TSMC)