TSMC eyes plans for first chip plant in Japan

TAIPEI -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is considering building its first chipmaking plant in Japan as Tokyo urges companies to expand semiconductor production in the country.

TSMC -- the world's biggest contract chipmaker and a key supplier to Sony and other Japanese chipmakers -- is evaluating plans to build a plant in Kumamoto Prefecture, in western Japan, four people told Nikkei Asia. The facility would be near one of Sony's plants and help meet growing demand for image sensors, automotive microcontrollers and other chips, they said.