TSMC's $8bn Japan chip project steams ahead as U.S. site hits snags

Tool installation at Kumamoto plant to start in October, production to begin in 2024

20231002 TSMC Kumamoto

TSMC's $8 billion plant in southwestern Japan is set to start production by the end of 2024. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu) 

CHENG TING-FANG and RYOHTAROH SATOH, Nikkei staff writers

TAIPEI/TOKYO -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. will begin installing equipment at its new chip plant in Japan this month, a sign that the project is proceeding more rapidly than the company's cutting-edge facility in the U.S.

The world's biggest chipmaker has sent hundreds of support staff to the site in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, and they will soon be joined by hundreds more from TSMC suppliers. TSMC has told several suppliers that installation of chip production tools will start in October and be completed in the first quarter of 2024, industry executives briefed on the matter told Nikkei.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.