[News] Rumors Suggest TSMC’s Third Plant in Japan Likely to Be Located in Yokohama or Osaka

---

---

In 2024, TSMC’s global expansion continues at full throttle, with industry reports suggesting a significant breakthrough in the establishment of a 3-nanometer advanced process manufacturing facility in Japan. Osaka is considered the most likely location for TSMC’s third plant in Japan.

TSMC has stated that it is actively evaluating suitable sites for construction and is not ruling out any possibilities.

According to Taiwan’s Commercial Times, following the announcement of Chairman Mark Liu’s retirement, speculation arises that President CC Wei will shoulder the responsibility of overseas expansion. With domestic 1.4 and 2-nanometer plans settled, and 3-nanometer production achieving high yields, developments in the U.S., Japan, Germany, and elsewhere are progressing rapidly.

Furthermore, sources in the supply chain reveal that TSMC has design centers in Osaka and Yokohama, making Osaka the front-runner for TSMC’s third plant in Japan.

Market speculations suggest that Japan will be a focal point for TSMC’s overseas expansion, with advanced processes and packaging potentially making significant strides in the country. Supply chain insiders point out that TSMC’s two R&D centers in Japan specializing in advanced process research and supporting design services for Japanese IDM customers. The advantageous conditions in Osaka are seen as superior to those in Yokohama.

TSMC’s subsidiary, Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM), is constructing a factory in Kikuyo Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, set to open on February 24 and expected to commence mass production by the end of 2024.

The second factory in Kumamoto is also planned to start operations in April. As for TSMC’s Taiwan facilities in advanced processes, the estimation is for 2-nanometer production to begin in Baoshan and Kaohsiung, gradually reaching mass production by 2026.

(Image: TSMC)