With IBM's help, Rapidus seeks to cash in on U.S. supply chain push

But Trump tariff threats loom over revival of Japanese semiconductor sector

Rapidus CEO Atsuyoshi Koike, second from left, and IBM Research director Dario Gil, second from right, pose during a joint news conference. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)

KOHEI YAMADA and RYO MUKANO

April 6, 2025 17:22 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese chipmaker Rapidus began test production at its Hokkaido plant Tuesday, a milestone reached with technological support from IBM as the U.S. seeks to shore up supply chains for economic security.