Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently visited Rapidus Corp. in Chitose, Hokkaido, where he reiterated his commitment to supporting the domestic production of next-generation chips. Emphasizing the importance of investments in semiconductor and AI technology, Kishida announced government funding and legislative measures to promote the mass production of cutting-edge chips. The government aims to encourage the production of state-of-the-art semiconductors with a line width of 2 nanometers, with Rapidus scheduled to complete prototypes by 2025 and start mass-producing them by 2027.
Kishida's visit to the semiconductor factory included discussions about boosting funding and submitting necessary bills to facilitate mass production of advanced chips. The government has already allocated up to 920 billion yen, approximately $6.04 billion, towards the project. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the government's Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform in June, which includes legislative measures to support companies like Rapidus in their efforts to advance semiconductor technology. Prime Minister Kishida's focus on investing in cutting-edge technologies reflects the government's commitment to enhancing Japan's semiconductor industry and ensuring its competitiveness in the global market.