Japan and the US Joins Forces to Produce 2 nm Chips in Japan by 2025

[TheLostSwede]

Based on a report by the Nikkei, Japan and the US have joined forces to speed up the development of semiconductor production at 2 nm nodes in Japan by 2025. It's not exactly clear how this is going to happen, but the two nations are said to have signed a bilateral chip technology partnership. The heavy lifting is said to be done by private companies from both nations, but in terms of research and actual chip production. Part of the reason for the move, is that Japan wants to be able to manufacture cutting edge ICs domestically for next-generation chips.

The research is said to be kicking off as soon as this summer, although no decisions have been made with regards to the manufacturing structure, with the Nikkei suggesting two alternatives, based on information from the Japanese Ministry of Economy. There will either be a joint partnership between Japanese and US businesses, or it could be a wholly Japanese owned setup. It appears that one major reason for this project is the production of ICs for the Japanese defence industry, as advanced electronics are needed in a lot of related products, ranging from fighter jets and missiles, to radar systems and communication systems. However, the article also suggests that the 2 nm node is suitable for everything from components for quantum computers to smartphones. Japan already makes advanced silicon wafers and many other parts and components used in semiconductor manufacturing, but the nation has fallen behind in the actual manufacturing of leading edge semiconductors over the past few years.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I got a bad feeling about this

 

[TheLostSwede]

I got a bad feeling about this

It doesn't feel all that well prepared and organised at this point in time.

 

[progste]

Hopefully this means less reliance on China for manufacturing.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

I got a bad feeling about this

They want to decrease dependence on China and everyone feels like the take over of Taiwan is getting closer.

 

[Shihab]

Hopefully this means less reliance on China for manufacturing.

I don't think this would affect China (much). Many -if not most- advanced node ICs are fabricated in Taiwan, South Korea and -to lesser extents- the US. Not sure about sparser/larger nodes though, but I also doubt it would have much effect. Even by 2025 I doubt 2nm would be cheap enough to make it worthwhile jumping from the simpler, dirt cheap yet quite adequate (for the purpose) >65nm chips (which, afaik is where China excels).

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I got a bad feeling about this

Falling on ones face often fuels that feeling, now we just gotta wait for the launch rockets to come out of its ass.

 

[Mistral]

I got a bad feeling about this

Au contraire, it makes me all tingly.

Having fab options is great, and Gudam county is not a bad choice.

 

[Prima.Vera]

In Japan they will need to have 1 million+ meetings before anything concrete takes ground. Plus the results and updates will always be send by Fax.

P.S.
Still more than 50% of companies in Japan and more than 50% of their domestic webpages work only in Internet Explorer.

 

[PCL]

Unless they've already got an order in with ASML, I don't see any way they hit that timeline.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Well... place prone to earthquakes, tsunamis and who else knows what for world leading tech manufacturing.

MAKES SENSE.

 

[Minus Infinity]

Having worked for a Japanese company for 5 years, my only advice is don't, just run for the hills yor mental health is too important to put up with the Japanese BS.

 

[Blueberries]

Something tells me the high levels of air pollution and seismic activity isn't great for a 2nm semiconductor fabrication facility

 

[Vayra86]

Well... place prone to earthquakes, tsunamis and who else knows what for world leading tech manufacturing.

MAKES SENSE.

But Japan is situated in such a perfect strategic location wrt China & North Korea.

Priorities

 

[Ferrum Master]

But Japan is situated in such a perfect strategic location wrt China & North Korea.

Priorities

oh yes exactly... I get strong vibes for pure success.

 

[Prima.Vera]

Something tells me the high levels of air pollution and seismic activity isn't great for a 2nm semiconductor fabrication facility

Japan has way lower air pollution than Europe or US, relax. Earthquakes are not that often and usually they are not that big.

 

[Vayra86]

Japan has way lower air pollution than Europe or US, relax. Earthquakes are not that often and usually they are not that big.

Yeah and luckily Japanese companies aren't all that arrogant either, thinking they know better than mother nature.

Right? They build for stuff to withstand earthqu...SHIT. Reality happens!

Fukushima nuclear accident - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

On detecting the earthquake, the active reactors automatically shut down their normal power-generating fission reactions. Because of these shutdowns and other electrical grid supply problems, the reactors' electricity supply failed, and their emergency diesel generators automatically started. Critically, these were required to provide electrical power to the pumps that circulated coolant through the reactors' cores. This continued circulation was vital to remove residual decay heat, which continues to be produced after fission has ceased.[12] However, the earthquake had also generated a tsunami 14 metres (46 ft) high that arrived shortly afterwards, swept over the plant's seawall and then flooded the lower parts of reactors 1–4.

Take away: they ignored the (known!) tsunami risk from earthquakes by placing backup generators below calculated potential wave height. It was probably a bit cheaper.

 

[Prima.Vera]

Yeah and luckily Japanese companies aren't all that arrogant either, thinking they know better than mother nature.

Right? They build for stuff to withstand earthqu...SHIT. Reality happens!

Fukushima nuclear accident - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

On detecting the earthquake, the active reactors automatically shut down their normal power-generating fission reactions. Because of these shutdowns and other electrical grid supply problems, the reactors' electricity supply failed, and their emergency diesel generators automatically started. Critically, these were required to provide electrical power to the pumps that circulated coolant through the reactors' cores. This continued circulation was vital to remove residual decay heat, which continues to be produced after fission has ceased.[12] However, the earthquake had also generated a tsunami 14 metres (46 ft) high that arrived shortly afterwards, swept over the plant's seawall and then flooded the lower parts of reactors 1–4.

Take away: they ignored the (known!) tsunami risk from earthquakes by placing backup generators below calculated potential wave height. It was probably a bit cheaper.

You're just talking out-of-topic trash.
Relax, Japan is the nr 3 country in the world on top Semi-conductor production. Trust me, they know how to build their factories.

 

[Vayra86]

You're just talking out-of-topic trash.
Relax, Japan is the nr 3 country in the world on top Semi-conductor production. Trust me, they know how to build their factories.

The soviet union was the nr 1 in Nuclear plants too. Then Chernobyl happened.

This is not offtopic. Humans are rather arrogant and history repeats.
Maybe another one to drive it home:

TSMC tackles Taiwan drought with plant to reuse water for chips

Water shortages are forcing semiconductor sector to take action

asia.nikkei.com

But hey, relax! All is well in the world!
I posted earlier that the main reason here is a strategic / positioning act on behalf of the US. A big part of the production chain for chips is situated and focused around SEA. Its not because the location is otherwise such a comfortable place. The geopolitical power balance is what determined Japan as a great place to invest - that and the fact that there simply isn't a workforce on tap elsewhere either.

'Trust you'... no. Your perspective is rather limited.

 

[Prima.Vera]

You're comparing Nuclear Plants with Semiconductor Factories.
Mind-blowing...

 

[Vayra86]

You're comparing Nuclear Plants with Semiconductor Factories.
Mind-blowing...

I'm comparing human arrogance with human arrogance.