Taiwan's PSMC says chip engineer shortage top challenge in Japan

Chipmaker's local head proposes joint school to train young people

wu.jpg

Joe Wu, Japan head of PSMC, visits Miyagi prefecture in November 2023. The Taiwanese chipmaker is building a plant in the northern prefecture. (Photo by Takuya Matsuda)

RYOHTAROH SATOH, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- A shortage of engineers is the "most difficult" challenge facing Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (PSMC) as it prepares to build a plant in Japan, with a recent wave of global chipmakers investing in the country expected to exacerbate the battle for talent.

PSMC, Taiwan's third-largest contract chip manufacturer and the sixth biggest in the world, plans to invest 800 billion yen ($5.3 billion) to build a plant in Japan through a joint venture with financial group SBI Holdings. The first phase of production is slated to start in 2027.

Sponsored Content

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