Japan's leader welcomes investment, exchanges to strengthen computer chip supply chain
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed that investment and international exchanges to strengthen the computer chip supply chain were welcome, as he met with the leaders of top computer chips makers Thursday.
A recent shortage of chips was a sore point for Japan’s manufacturing powerhouses like Toyota Motor Corp., when social restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic crimped supplies, serving as a wake-up call that solid access to production must be ensured.
Computer chips are used in vehicles, mobile phones and an array of other products, and next-generation chips are going to be crucial for artificial intelligence, automated driving systems and other advanced technology.
Japan is eager to strengthen its domestic chip production and remain a technological leader. Analysts say the uncertain future of U.S.-China relations also could put supplies from China at risk.
Intel Chief Executive Pat Gelsinger, TSMC Chair Mark Liu and Kye Hyun Kyung, a top executive at Samsung Electronics, were among the executives meeting at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo.
Yasutoshi Nishimura, the economy and trade minister, who was also at the meeting, said many of the executives had a positive response to Japan’s request.
The meeting centered around exchanging views on the policies needed to attract more investment, personnel and funding to Japan to strengthen the critical chips sector, according to the Japanese government.
“The government of Japan plans to take this into serious consideration and offer cooperative aid to fully tackle this issue,” Nishimura told reporters after the meeting.
Other chips makers represented at the meeting included Micron Technology Chief Executive Sanjay Mehrotra and IBM Senior Vice President Darío Gil.
The officials...