Japan fund buys Onsemi plant to make EV semiconductors

Mercuria eyes buying more Japanese fabs, could rejuvenate industry domestically

An Onsemi plant based in Niigata will begin production of EV semiconductors in December. (Source photos by Ryosuke Eguchi and Onsemi)

Nikkei staff writers

October 31, 2022 18:04 JST

Updated on October 31, 2022 23:48 JST

TOKYO -- A Japanese fund backed by the Development Bank of Japan and trading house Itochu will buy a semiconductor plant in Japan owned by American manufacturer ON Semiconductor, known as Onsemi, Nikkei has learned.

The Niigata-based factory will be equipped with the latest production facilities and begin contract manufacturing of power semiconductors for electric vehicles and appliances in December. The plant will maintain its current staff of about 600.